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Desktop

User Guide

August 2010

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The content of this manual is provided for information only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Actix. Actix assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that appear in this documentation. Copyright Actix 2010. All rights reserved. All trademarks are hereby acknowledged.

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Contents
1 ABOUT SPOTLIGHT .....................................................................................6
1.2 USING SPOTLIGHT TO SOLVE NETWORK PROBLEMS ...................................................... 7 1.3 ABOUT SPOTLIGHT PROJECTS ............................................................................... 9

2 IMPORTING CELL SITE DATA ....................................................................... 10


2.1 IMPORTING NETWORK DATA .............................................................................. 10 2.2 UPDATING CELL SITE DATA ............................................................................... 19 2.3 LOADING CELL SITE DATA ................................................................................ 19 2.4 CELL SITE DISPLAY ........................................................................................ 20 2.5 SETTING THRESHOLDS FOR DATA IMPORT .............................................................. 25

3 STARTING SPOTLIGHT ............................................................................... 26 4 CREATING A PROJECT ................................................................................ 27


4.1 STEP 1: CHOOSE NAME AND TEMPLATE ................................................................. 27 4.2 STEP 2: SET PREFERENCES AND THRESHOLDS ......................................................... 28 4.3 STEP 3: CHOOSE DATA ................................................................................... 31

5 USING THE SUMMARY DASHBOARD ................................................................ 33


5.1 NAVIGATING AROUND SPOTLIGHT ........................................................................ 34 5.2 THE TOP PANEL ............................................................................................. 35 5.3 THE ISSUES PANEL ......................................................................................... 36 5.4 THE MAP ..................................................................................................... 37

6 USING SPOTLIGHT REPORTS ........................................................................ 38 7 USING THE RADIO NETWORK EXPLORER .......................................................... 40
7.1 ABOUT THE RADIO NETWORK EXPLORER ................................................................ 40 7.2 CDMA / EVDO CELL COVERAGE ANALYSIS ............................................................ 42 7.3 CDMA / EVDO NEIGHBOR LIST ANALYSIS ............................................................. 48 7.4 CDMA / EVDO PILOT POLLUTION ANALYSIS .......................................................... 54 7.5 EVDO SYSTEM PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS ............................................................... 58 7.6 GSM CELL COVERAGE ANALYSIS ......................................................................... 63 7.7 GSM 2G MISSING NEIGHBORS ANALYSIS .............................................................. 73 7.8 LTE CELL COVERAGE ANALYSIS .......................................................................... 79 7.9 UMTS / HSPA 3G NEIGHBOR LIST ANALYSIS ......................................................... 83 7.10 UMTS / HSPA 3G-2G NEIGHBOR LIST ANALYSIS .................................................. 89 7.11 UMTS / HSPA CELL COVERAGE ANALYSIS ........................................................... 95 7.12 UMTS / HSPA CELL PILOT POLLUTION ANALYSIS ................................................. 102 7.13 ABOUT THE INTERFERENCE FACTOR (F FACTOR) .................................................. 106

8 USING THE EVENT EXPLORER ..................................................................... 109


8.1 ABOUT THE EVENT EXPLORER........................................................................... 109 8.2 DATA SERVICE ANALYSIS ............................................................................... 112 8.3 DRILL DOWN FROM THE EVENT EXPLORER ............................................................ 116

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9 PERFORMING A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS ..................................................... 121


9.1 BEFORE YOU START ...................................................................................... 121 9.2 TO LOAD DATA INTO ANALYZER CLASSIC.............................................................. 121

10 BATCH SECTOR PLOT ............................................................................ 123 11 CREATING A SPOTLIGHT PROJECT TEMPLATE ................................................. 126
11.1 STEP 1: CHOOSE NAME AND STARTING TEMPLATE ................................................ 127 11.2 STEP 2: CHOOSE DEVICES ............................................................................ 128 11.3 STEP 3: CHOOSE KPIS AND REPORTS............................................................... 132 11.4 STEP 4: CHOOSE ATTRIBUTES ........................................................................ 133 11.5 STEP 5: CHOOSE GLOBAL FILTERS .................................................................. 137

12 TROUBLESHOOTING SPOTLIGHT ................................................................ 138


12.1 NO REPOSITORY DETECTED ............................................................................ 138 12.2 THE MAPS IN YOUR REPORT ARE EMPTY .............................................................. 138

13 APPENDIX A: CELL SITE PARAMETERS ........................................................ 139


13.1 CDMA CELL SITE PARAMETERS ...................................................................... 139 13.2 GSM / GPRS / EDGE CELL SITE PARAMETERS ................................................... 140 13.3 LTE CELL SITE PARAMETERS ......................................................................... 141 13.4 UMTS / HSPA+ CELL SITE PARAMETERS .......................................................... 142

14 APPENDIX B: SPOTLIGHT REPORTS ............................................................ 144


14.1 CDMA SPOTLIGHT REPORT ........................................................................... 144 14.2 EVDO SPOTLIGHT REPORT ........................................................................... 147 14.3 EVDO REV A SPOTLIGHT REPORT ................................................................... 151 14.4 GSM SPOTLIGHT REPORT ............................................................................. 155 14.5 HSPA SPOTLIGHT REPORT ............................................................................ 160 14.6 UMTS SPOTLIGHT REPORT ........................................................................... 165

15 APPENDIX C: CDMA THRESHOLDS, KPIS AND DIAGNOSES ............................... 170


15.1 CDMA THRESHOLDS ................................................................................... 170 15.2 CDMA EVENTS IN THE EVENT EXPLORER ............................................................ 173 15.3 DROPPED CALL DIAGNOSIS FOR CDMA ............................................................. 174

16 APPENDIX D: DATA SERVICE ANALYSIS THRESHOLDS ...................................... 176


16.1 DSA THRESHOLDS...................................................................................... 176

17 APPENDIX E: EGPRS KPIS AND DIAGNOSES ................................................ 179


17.1 EGPRS THRESHOLDS .................................................................................. 179 17.2 EGPRS EVENTS IN THE EVENT EXPLORER........................................................... 181 17.3 EGPRS DIAGNOSES .................................................................................... 183

18 APPENDIX F: EVDO KPIS AND DIAGNOSES .................................................. 185


18.1 EVDO THRESHOLDS ................................................................................... 185 18.2 EVDO EVENTS IN THE EVENT EXPLORER ............................................................ 189 18.3 DROPPED CONNECTION DIAGNOSIS FOR EVDO .................................................... 190
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18.4 LOW THROUGHPUT DIAGNOSIS FOR EVDO ......................................................... 192 18.5 SCHEDULING ISSUES DIAGNOSIS FOR EVDO ...................................................... 194

19 APPENDIX G: GSM THRESHOLDS, KPIS AND DIAGNOSES ................................. 196


19.1 GSM THRESHOLDS ..................................................................................... 196 19.2 GSM EVENTS IN THE EVENT EXPLORER.............................................................. 200 19.3 CALL SETUP FAILURE DIAGNOSIS FOR GSM ........................................................ 201 19.4 LOCATION UPDATE FAILURE DIAGNOSIS FOR GSM ................................................ 203 19.5 DROPPED CALLS DIAGNOSIS FOR GSM.............................................................. 205 19.6 HANDOVER FAILURE DIAGNOSIS FOR GSM ......................................................... 206

20 APPENDIX H: HSPA THRESHOLDS, KPIS AND DIAGNOSES ................................ 207


20.1 HSPA EVENT EXPLORER ANALYSIS ................................................................... 207 20.2 HSPA CALL DROP ANALYSIS EXAMPLE .............................................................. 207 20.3 HSDPA LOW THROUGHPUT EXAMPLE ................................................................ 210 20.4 HSPA EVENTS IN THE EVENT EXPLORER ............................................................ 214 20.5 HSPA THROUGHPUT KPIS ............................................................................ 218 20.6 HSDPA THRESHOLDS .................................................................................. 220

21 APPENDIX I: LTE THRESHOLDS, KPIS AND DIAGNOSES.................................... 224


21.1 LTE THRESHOLDS ...................................................................................... 224 21.2 SPOTLIGHT THRESHOLDS .............................................................................. 224

22 APPENDIX J: UMTS THRESHOLDS, KPIS AND DIAGNOSES................................. 225


22.1 UMTS THRESHOLDS ................................................................................... 225 22.2 UMTS EVENTS IN THE EVENT EXPLORER ............................................................ 229 22.3 DROPPED CALLS DIAGNOSIS FOR UMTS ............................................................ 231 22.4 CALL SETUP FAILURE DIAGNOSIS FOR UMTS ...................................................... 233 22.5 EXCESSIVE CALL DIAGNOSIS FOR UMTS............................................................ 235

23 APPENDIX K: INFORMATION FOR ADMINISTRATORS ........................................ 236


23.1 HIDING ANALYZER EVENT DIAGRAMS FROM SPOTLIGHT USERS .................................. 236

24 INDEX .............................................................................................. 237

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Actix Spotlight Desktop User Guide August 2010

1 About Spotlight
Todays performance optimization and troubleshooting processes are typically inefficient, costly, and error prone. Engineering teams commonly use disparate tools that are poorly integrated lacking the automation and scalability fundamental for rolling out and maintaining complex wireless networks. Actix Spotlight lowers the overall cost of performance optimization by delivering maximum engineering productivity in a managed workflow. Designed by optimization engineers, for optimization engineers, Spotlight identifies key performance indicators, provides automated root-cause troubleshooting, coverage and interference identification, and concise reporting. Engineers can solve and report on more problems faster by eliminating time consuming data manipulation and manual deduction.

1.1.1 Radio Network Analyses


Spotlight provides the following analyses for examining the performance of the radio network:

Coverage and Overspill Analysis this determines the coverage footprint of cells and identifies overshoot against coverage design boundaries. Grade of Service this determines the relative grade of service for cells, based on user-defined thresholds. Pilot Pollution this automatically identifies inbound vs. outbound pilot pollution. Prioritizes which cells in the network are strong candidates for tilts and coverage optimization. Neighbor List Analyses this grooms 3G-3G and 3G-2G neighbor lists, based on scanner data for sites positioned within a user-defined radius.

1.1.2 Event-based troubleshooting


Based on the drive test data provided for the analysis, Spotlight automatically generates root-cause diagnostics for the most common subscriber problemsfor example, dropped calls.

1.1.3 Reporting
Spotlight displays the results of its automatically generated analyses on integrated, professional-quality reports including embedded maps.

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Actix Spotlight Desktop User Guide August 2010

1.2 Using Spotlight to solve network problems


Spotlight is designed to allow you to follow your own investigations throughout the various analysis pages and reports. However, a typical general analysis of the data in Spotlight would be to start from the Summary Dashboard (shown below). Examine the summary map (1) and then the appropriate report for the loaded data (2), which might indicate the presence of one or more problems. Cell coverage, missing neighbors and pilot pollution problems can be investigated from the Radio Network Explorer analyses (3); links to these are also shown as Important Issues (4) in the Issues panel of the Summary Dashboard. These might then point you at specific problem events which you can examine and diagnose using the Event Explorer (5); links to these are shown as Critical Issues (6) in the Issues panel.

5 3 6 2

Some typical scenarios for using Spotlight are outlined below:

1.2.1 Perform a quick overview of network performance


Examine the available Spotlight report(s) to see whether any of the performance criteria thresholds have been exceeded. If there are any problems, you can follow them up by using the Radio Network Explorer or Event Explorer investigation pages.

Using Spotlight reports (see page 38)


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1.2.2 Optimize neighbor lists and export suggested changes to the OMC
Use the Neighbor List analyses in the Radio Network Explorer. This process should be performed as part of the rollout phase of a network to construct and optimize the adjacency lists of each cell, and throughout the life of the network as changes to traffic and tilt affect the coverage pattern and interference interaction between the cells.

CDMA/EVDO Neighbor List (see p48) GSM 2G Missing Neighbors (see p73) UMTS/HSPA 3G Neighbor List (see p79) UMTS/HSPA 3G-2G Neighbor List (see p89)

1.2.3 Determine cell coverage


Use the Cell Coverage analyses in the Radio Network Explorer.

CDMA/EVDO Cell Coverage (see p42) GSM Cell Coverage (see p63) LTE Cell Coverage (see p79) UMTS/HSPA Cell Coverage (see p95)

1.2.4 Identify inbound vs. outbound pilot pollution


Use the Pilot Pollution analyses in the Radio Network Explorer. You can visualize the offending sectors on the map, determine the relative degree of pollution for each cell and prioritize which cells in the network are strong candidates for downtilts and coverage optimization.

CDMA/EVDO Pilot Pollution (see p54) UMTS/HSPA Cell Pilot Pollution (see p102)

1.2.5 Identify sites failing their recommended design targets


Use the EVDO System Performance analysis in the Radio Network Explorer (see p58).

1.2.6 Investigate failure events


Select a Critical Issue from the Summary Dashboard (p40), or open the Event Explorer (p109).

1.2.7 Investigate problems in detail at the message level


Select a Critical Issue from the Summary Dashboard, or open the Event Explorer. Now select the Drilldown option (see p112).

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Actix Spotlight Desktop User Guide August 2010

1.3 About Spotlight projects


In Spotlight, a project is a collection of saved application settings and data files relating to a particular drive test initiative, specifically the:

Template used for the project. This defines the extent of the data from the drive test files that you want to process and store within Spotlight's database, and defines which KPIs and reports will be used in the project. Network information that you want to use (the cellrefs file). Preferences that determine how the data is to be loaded. Thresholds that trigger particular conditions or Events in Spotlight's analyses. Drive test files that you want to examine.

The term KPI (key performance indicator) means not simply a statistic that reflects network performance in some way, but also a related pre-defined analysis. For all of the KPIs that represent an issue, an overall summary is shown in the Spotlight Summary Dashboard side panel. However, the analysis is provided in either the Event Explorer or the Radio Network Explorer, depending on the KPI type:

Event KPIs - Most of these KPIs relate to a specific type of call or session failure event, such as dropped calls or handover, call setup or location update failures, etc. and include automated root cause diagnosis and drilldown to the sequential message data at the click of a button. However, some of these KPIs relate to general events (such as call attempts) in order to provide context for the failure events and these do not include diagnostics and drilldown functionality. Radio Network KPIs - These KPIs relate to general issues for the radio network, such as coverage, pilot pollution, missing neighbors, and so on. For these KPIs, the Radio Network Explorer provides a detailed analysis that is very specific to the particular issue.

Reports provide summaries, tables, charts, and maps that can be saved as an Excel workbook or Web page.

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2 Importing Cell Site Data


2.1 Importing Network Data
This chapter describes how to import delimited network element data into Spotlight, using various Analyzer features. Analyzers Network Explorer feature allows you to import network element data, creating a cell plan file called cellrefs.txt. Network Explorer also lets you browse and edit this network information once it has been loaded into Analyzer. In this chapter, CDMA network data is used as an example, but the appendices show important information relating to other network technologies. Analyzers network data import process requires two files:

A delimited text file that contains unformatted data arranged in tabular form, with one row for each individual sector in a network. A blank file, containing only Analyzer header information, to be populated with formatted data.

2.1.1 Obtaining Site Data in Tabular Format


In order to import cell site data from your own network, you will need to obtain a delimited text file containing the data listed in the table below. To maximize the benefit Analyzer can bring to network analysis, the parameters listed in bold in the table on the following page are required for cell data to function with logged data in the main workspace. All other parameters are optional. A full list of network parameters for different technologies is given in Appendix A: Cell Site Parameters. The data may come from a network database or a planning tool configuration file. As long as the data is in a tabular format, with one row for each sector, Analyzer will be able to import the data. CDMA Cell Site Parameters for Import: Parameter
Site Name Site Number Latitude Longitude Sector Number

Analyzer Group
CDMA_Site CDMA_Site CDMA_Site CDMA_Site CDMA_Cell

Analyzer Name
SiteName SiteID Latitude Longitude Sector ID

Purpose
Text description of the Site for display on map. Numeric identifier for the Site. Locates Site icons on map. Locates Site icons on map. Sector-specific information useful for display on maps (can be alpha or numeric) Orients the sector icons on the map.

Azimuth

CDMA_Cell

Azimuth

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Parameter
Beamwidth

Analyzer Group
CDMA_Cell

Analyzer Name
Beamwidth

Purpose
Governs the shape of the sector wedge icon to reflect the beamwidth of antenna deployed at the site. Used in CDMA Toolkit calculations, lines to neighbor cells and to color sector/site icons on maps to reflect PN planning. Base station power, used in CDMA Toolkit calculations. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. Used in CDMA Toolkit calculations to compare current search window settings with those suggested by Analyzer. Used in CDMA Toolkit calculations to compare current search window settings with those suggested by Analyzer. Used in CDMA Toolkit calculations to compare current neighbor list settings to those suggested by Analyzer. Use to color sectors on the map by a custom integer field. Use to color sectors on the map by a custom integer field. Use to color sectors on the map by a custom integer field.

PN Offset

CDMA_Cell

PN

Base Station Power Mobile Country Code System Identity Network Identity Broadcast Identity PctPilot PctTraffic PctPaging PctSync Active Set Search Window Setting

CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell

EIRP MCC SID NID BID PctPilot PctTraffic PctPaging PctSync SRCH_WIN_A

Neighbor Set Search Window Setting

CDMA_Cell

SRCH_WIN_N

List of neighbors

CDMA_Cell

CDMANeighborList

Sector Display Wildcard Sector Display Wildcard Sector Display Wildcard

CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell

Face_Display Azimuth_Display Phase_Display

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Parameter
Layer Type

Analyzer Group
CDMA_Cell

Analyzer Name
LayerType

Purpose
Use this field to manage multiple cell layers to be displayed and hidden separately.

The figure below is an example of a delimited CDMA file that could be used to import a site list into Analyzer. Though the columns can be in any order for import into Analyzer, the figure shows all of the REQUIRED fields. Additionally, the Excel spreadsheet must be saved as a TEXT file for import into Analyzer.

2.1.2 Guidelines for Formatting Tabular Data


Analyzer does not need the cell site data fields to be listed in a particular order, but to get the best results, follow these guidelines:

The Site ID field must contain a unique value for each site location. Beware of non-unique Site IDs that is, entries that have multiple sets of latitudes and longitudes for the same Site ID. Duplicated Site IDs will result in site markers appearing on the map without sector wedges. Site Names do not need to be unique they are just used for labeling purposes. Position information must be accurate for Analyzer to correctly display sites in the right location on the map. Longitudes that have a 'West' notation should be represented as a negative decimal value, as should latitudes with a 'South' notation. Sites will appear skewed on the map if the latitude and longitude fields are transposed.
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Before importing new cells into Analyzer, ensure that Analyzer is pointing to a valid cell site database. A valid cell site database is a text file in which the first line contains the text below:

; #NetworkData datafile

Every Analyzer installation comes with a clean file called cellrefs.txt located in the directory called:

C:\Program Files\Actix\Analyzer\Bin\Cellrefs

The file to be populated need not be named cellrefs.txt. Rename this file with a meaningful name in order to prevent the file from being overwritten during reinstallation.

To point the Analyzer to the file you wish to populate with the new cell site data, use the File Location line in the Tools > Preferences dialog. See the section on Loading Cell Site Data later in this document for more details.

2.1.3 Importing the Data


Once you have obtained your cell site database in delimited format and pointed Analyzer to a valid cellrefs file, you are ready to open the Network Explorer and import the site information. The following example is for CDMA technology, but the method works across all network technologies. See Appendix A: Cell Site Parameters for more information on other technologies. 1 To access the Network Explorer, select Cells > Network Explorer.

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The Network Explorer display consists of two panels. The left panel contains a tree view of the network element data. The right panel shows details about relevant parameters for the current selection. If you have pointed Analyzer to a cellrefs file containing only header information, you will not see any cell site data at this time. 2 3 4 From the toolbar, select Import > Import From New Template to open the Import dialog. Select the appropriate network data file. Click Open to display the Import Settings dialog.

5 6 7

Give the Template a meaningful Template Name. Check the appropriate Delimiter. In most cases, the default information under the General Settings and Coordinate Information headers will apply. Adjust these settings if necessary. Click Next.
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Expand the CDMA_Site data node. Click in the Column field next to the Site_Name parameter. Select the parameter name from your site database that corresponds to the Site_Name parameter. Repeat for each of the required fields in the CDMA_Site data node, based on the table below (See Appendix A: Cell Site Parameters for more information on other technologies):
Field Site_Name SiteID Latitude Longitude Mapping required for proper operation? Optional, but this field is frequently used for the site label. Required, and this field must be unique for each site in the database. Required Required

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10 Expand the CDMA_Cell data node. Click in the Column field next to the Sector_ID parameter. Select the parameter name from your site database that corresponds to the Sector_ID parameter. Repeat for each of the required fields in the CDMA_Cell data node, based on the table below (See Appendix A: Cell Site Parameters for more information on other technologies):

Field Sector_ID

Required for proper operation? Required. This field can be used to color sectors on the map by face number (i.e. 1 = red, 2 = blue, 3 = green). Required Required Optional Required Optional Optional

Azimuth Beamwidth EIRP PN MCC SID

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Field NID BID PctPilot PctTraffic PctPaging PctSync SRCH_WIN_A SRCH_WIN_N CDMANeighborList Face_Display

Required for proper operation? Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional, but map this field to a custom integer field to color sectors on the map by that field. An example of a custom field would be the phase of the site where: 1 = On Air 2 = Under Construction 3 = Planned for Next Year

Azimuth_Display Phase_Display

Optional, but map this field to the integer azimuth field in order to color sectors on the map by azimuth range. Optional, but map this field to a custom integer field to color sectors on the map by that field. An example of a custom field would be the phase of the site where: 1 = On Air 2 = Under Construction 3 = Planned for Next Year

LayerType

Optional. Use this field to manage multiple cell layers. Cells can be displayed or hidden on the map by layer.

11 Click Finish when all the columns have been assigned. If the current workspace contains existing site data, you will be asked whether you want to remove existing data before importing new data. Select Yes to overwrite existing data. Select No to append to existing data. If any errors occur during the import, a pop-up message will indicate that an error log has been created. The error log specifies the cause of each error encountered and can be found in:

C:\Program Files\Actix\Analyzer\Bin\Cellrefs\ImportErrors.log
12 Inspect the cell data in the Network Explorer by expanding the All_CDMA_Site_Elements folder in the left-hand pane of the Network Explorer. 13 Double-click on any site name in the right hand pane. The Name, Location and ID of the site will appear, as well as a folder containing CDMA Cell Elements. Drill into the CDMA Cell Elements folder and examine the values corresponding to each sector. 14 To save the formatted site information, select the Save button.

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15 Close the Network Explorer by clicking the X at the upper right hand corner. 16 After closing the Network Explorer, view a new map by selecting View > Display New Map. 17 If cell icons do not appear on the map, right click on the CDMA_Cell layer in the map legend at the left hand side of the map window. Select Zoom to Layer to zoom the map to the appropriate location. Be sure to close the map with the X at the upper right hand corner to save all changes to the map view.

If you see site markers appearing on the map without sector wedges, this is probably due to nonunique Site IDs in the imported cell site data. Sites can also appear skewed on the map if the latitude and longitude information has been transposed.

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2.1.4 Importing multiple technologies


To import multiple technologies using the same cellrefs file, follow this procedure: 1 2 3 Import the first technology and save the cellrefs file. Import the second technology and save that cellrefs file. Using a text editor such as Windows Notepad, copy all of the second cellrefs file apart from the first line, and paste it in at the end of the first cellrefs file.

You now have a cellrefs file that can import data for both technologies.

2.2 Updating Cell Site Data


You can make minor cell plan changes (a few azimuths, PNs, etc.) directly from the Network Explorer. Simply browse to find the site and sector of interest and double click on a single parameter to activate the text. Be sure to save the modifications before exiting the Network Explorer!

2.3 Loading Cell Site Data


In order to display cell sites in Analyzer, and integrate cell site data with real-time measurements, a formatted cell site database must exist that contains location and configuration data for each cell site. The previous section explained how to create a cell site file from a spreadsheet containing network parameters. In Analyzer, the formatted cell site file is known as the cellrefs file, although this file can have any name. Analyzer reads cell site data upon opening a new workspace. Therefore, if any changes to cell site data are made, you must start a new workspace (or reopen Analyzer) in order for the changes to take effect. Follow these steps to point Analyzer to a formatted cell site file: 1 2 3 4 5 From the main menu, select Tools > Preferences. In the Change Preferences dialog, on the File Location line, click on the name of the current cellrefs file. In the Open dialog, navigate to the cellrefs file you would like to use and select Open. Click OK to close the Preferences dialog. A message box will be displayed saying that the new cellrefs file takes effect when a new workspace is loaded. Click OK to close the message box. Analyzer loads cells upon opening Analyzer or starting a new workspace. From the Main Menu, choose File > New Workspace to create a new workspace. In the new workspace, click View > Display New Map. If cell icons do not appear on the map, right click on the CDMA_Cell layer in the map legend at the left hand side of the map window. Select Zoom to Layer to zoom the map to the appropriate location. Be sure to close the map with the X at the upper right hand corner to save all changes to the map view.

By default, the cell sites are now visible.


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2.4 Cell Site Display


2.4.1 Displaying Site Labels
By default, site and cell labels will be displayed on the Analyzer map. You can leave the labels as they are, modify the way they are displayed, or turn them off entirely. The site labels are displayed independently of cell labels. This allows you to display of Site Name or Site ID in addition to or instead of PN, Azimuth, or Beamwidth. In Analyzer, sectors are called cells based on the European terminology. The following instructions specify first site labeling, then cell labeling: 1 2 3 In the Layer Control dialog box, select the site layer (named CDMA_SiteSite_Name) Under the Properties heading in the Layer Control dialog, press the Labels button. The MapInfo-style Label Properties box will appear. Check each of the following options: 4 Show Allow overlapped text (recommended) Hide adjacent duplicate text (optional)

In the Label Properties box, use the drop down Data Field menu to determine the label format to display. Currently, there are two formats of labels from which to choose: The Site_Name (default) shows only the site name. The KeyField label shows only the site ID.

5 6 7

If you wish to offset the label from the cell site symbol, use the options in the Position box in the Label Properties dialog. If you wish to change the font of the labels, use the Label Style button in the Properties dialog. Select OK to exit the Label Properties dialog.

The Site Labels have been formatted. Next, format the Cell Labels: 1 2 3 In the Layer Control dialog box, select the cell layer (named CDMA_CellBeamwidth-PN) Under the Properties heading in the Layer Control dialog, press the Labels button The MapInfo-style Label Properties box will appear. Check each of the following options: Show Allow overlapped text (recommended) Hide adjacent duplicate text (optional)

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In the Label Properties box, use the drop down Data Field menu to determine the label format to display. All CDMA_Cell parameters are available as options for labeling. The PN Label shows the PN for each sector, displayed next to the sector. If you wish to offset the label from the cell site symbol, use the options in the Position box in the Label Properties dialog. If you wish to change the font of the labels, use the Label Style button in the Properties dialog. Click OK in the Label Properties dialog, and then OK in the Layers dialog to apply the labels.

6 7

2.4.2 Coloring Sectors on the Map


By default, sectors are colored by PN on the map. To color the sectors according to a different field (i.e. Sector_ID, to color sectors by face), or to make all sectors the same color: 1 2 Click the Cell Sites button at the top of the map. In the Series drop-down, choose CDMA_Cell.

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Use the Cell Color drop-down choose how to color the field. To make all sectors the same color, specify an unused field (i.e. MCC). To color sectors by face (i.e. 1 = red, 2 = yellow, 3 = blue) choose Sector_ID. Click OK to exit the Sites / Cell Properties dialog. Site coloring will appear as specified. To modify face colors, expand the CDMA_Cell parameter in the legend. Right-click on individual ranges and choose Selected Ranges Style to modify colors.

4 5

Note that the sector need not be colored and labeled by the same parameter. The figure below shows sectors colored by Sector_ID and labeled with the PN. Use the Layer Control dialog to adjust labeling as desired.

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2.4.3 Searching for Cells


Search for Cells provides a mechanism for locating specific cell sites based on user-defined search criteria. To conduct a search: 1 2 3 Display site data of interest on the map. From the main menu, select Cells > Search for Cells. From the main menu, select Window > Tile Horizontally or Window > Tile Vertically to arrange the CellRefs Search dialog and the map in the workspace. Ensure that CDMA is visible in the Technology drop-down. Use the Add, Edit and Delete buttons to modify search criteria. Click the Search Now button to show in the Results window all matching cell sites from the current cellrefs file.

4 5 6

7 8

From the Results window, select a row to highlight and center the corresponding sector on the map. Click the Highlight All button to highlight all matching sectors on the map.

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2.4.4 Viewing Cell Site Information


A cells Azimuth, Beamwidth and Sector ID can be obtained by running the mouse over a sector on the map. To obtain more detailed information on each site or sector: 1 2 3 4 Display site data of interest on the map. From the main menu, select Cells > Display Cell Data. From the main menu, select Window > Tile Horizontally or Window > Tile Vertically. Click on a sector wedge or site dot on the map. Details about that sector or site will appear in the Display Cell Data window.

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2.5 Setting Thresholds for Data Import


Ensure that before entering Spotlight, you set the appropriate technology thresholds to enable Spotlight to use your own criteria for identifying particular events and circumstances. See the relevant appendix for details.

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3 Starting Spotlight
To start Spotlight, click on Actix Software from the Windows Start menu (or, if you have a combination of licensed products, select Spotlight from the Engineering Process dialog). This screen is now displayed:

If you have just started using Spotlight, you will want to create a New Project. If you already have an existing project within Spotlight's database, click the project's related Open button to proceed to the Summary Dashboard. In the example screenshot shown above, there are several existing projects. If you want to Delete a listed project, note that you will be asked to confirm your choice.

Note that you can also choose to start in classic mode, without the Spotlight interface and analyses, and directly investigate the data using Analyzer's rich tool set.

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4 Creating a Project
4.1 Step 1: Choose Name and Template
This page is the first step in creating a new Spotlight project.

Type in a unique Project Name. Project templates define the extent of the data from the drive test files that you want to process and store within Spotlight's database under the project name.

Either select a predefined Template from the scrolling list, or click on New Template to create your own. Templates shipped as standard with Spotlight are shown in blue and do not have creation dates associated with them. A Master Template is available at the bottom of the list, with all KPIs and reports selected. To delete a particular template, highlight it in the scrolling list and click Delete Template. Note that templates that are shipped as standard with Spotlight may not be deleted.

Click Next to go on to the next step.

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4.2 Step 2: Set Preferences and Thresholds In the second step in creating a new Spotlight project, you must specify a
cellrefs file for your project. Note A cellrefs file contains network configuration information in a delimited text format, and is usually created using the output from a planning tool.

You can also use the settings and thresholds links to set various other options for your project.

CellRefs Select a valid cellrefs file that contains the details (name, ID, and location, etc.) of all of the cell sites and sectors that you want to analyze. If you want to analyze data from more than one technology, the cellrefs file must contain the information for all of those technologies. Note Spotlight always makes a local copy of the selected cellrefs file, in case the original cellrefs file is updated to reflect changes made to the network. The Spotlight project database relies on the associated cellrefs file remaining unchanged if it is, the project will no longer work. Spotlight is designed to be used for short-duration drive test campaigns, so this should not present a problem and if you do need to use the new cellrefs data, simply create a new project that references the new cellrefs file.

Settings Click this link to open the Preferences dialog box. This has many options, many of which configure the way various specific types of data are decoded. There are also a number of neighbor list settings for CDMA and UMTS these are used to fine-tune the algorithms used by the neighbor list analyses in the Radio Network Explorer.

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Although you can change these settings using the Data Settings link in the Radio Network Explorer's top panel, you should set them using the link on this page when you create the project. Note When you work in Spotlight, make sure that you do not enable the Automatic Import options in the CellRefs group of Preferences.

Thresholds Click this link to open the Thresholds Editor, where you can configure the user-defined thresholds that are used in Spotlight. Thresholds are used in Spotlight in two main ways: Event detection Most of the KPIs in the Event Explorer are ultimately based on event attributes that are detected by the Actix event detection mechanism as the data is loaded into the project's repository. These KPIs are usually based on a single event attribute (for example, the GSM dropped call KPI is based on the EventCallDropped event attribute), although a few might be based on multiple event attributes (for example, when incoming and outgoing call setup failures are stored in separate event attributes). Many of the analyses in the Radio Network Explorer are also based on event attributes. For example, the UMTS pilot pollution analyses are based on the UuPilotPollution and Uu_Scan_PilotPollution event attributes. When an event detection algorithm involves a user-definable threshold, you can configure the corresponding KPIs and analyses by changing those thresholds. The thresholds used in the event detection mechanisms for the various technologies are documented in detail in the Settings and Preferences section of the help, which also provides information about which attributes are affected. The documentation provides information about the names of the event attributes that underlie each KPI and analysis. This is useful when reading about event detection thresholds and helps you to look up the definition of those attributes in the Attribute Help system. KPI definitions Thresholds are used in the queries that define the raw data that is to be stored in the repository and from which the various KPIs are derived. Thresholds are also used in the calculations that are subsequently performed on the data as it is retrieved from the repository prior to display in Spotlight. The documentation provides a list of these thresholds for each technology.

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4.2.1 What happens to the projects preferences and threshold settings


After you click the last steps Done button, Spotlight automatically saves the preferences and thresholds that are currently selected (including a copy of the entire cellrefs file). These saved settings are automatically reloaded whenever you subsequently open the project. This is done for several reasons:

Spotlight does not expect that the cellrefs file will change after you have started loading datathe addition of even a single cell sector in the cellrefs file can result in incorrect results within Spotlight (this is why Spotlight is not compatible with the Automatic Import option for cellrefs data.) Changing other preferences and thresholds can result in subtle changes in how Spotlight decodes data, defines events and determines what to store in the repository. Although changing these settings after you have started loading data into the project should not invalidate the results, it can lead to confusion and the potential for different definitions being used to generate the same event.

By saving and reloading the cellrefs file and other preferences and thresholds with the project, Spotlight avoids these potential problems. However, it does mean that any changes you subsequently make to the preferences and thresholds while working on the project will be lost next time you reload the project. For example, you can change the neighbor list preferences using the Data Settings link in the Radio Network Explorer's neighbor list pages. As soon as you close the dialog box, the page will be updated to reflect the new settings. However, next time you reload the project, the neighbor list settings will revert to those that were selected when you originally created the project. You should therefore think through your requirements and set the settings and preferences accordingly before you start loading data. Note Although you can change preferences and settings at any time using the Display Thresholds and Preferences options on the main Tools menu, this is not recommended when using Spotlight, because changing the CellRefs file can cause incorrect results and changing the other settings is potentially confusing. Although changing most of the preferences and thresholds will not affect the data stored in your project's repository, it will affect drilldown data and any data that you load into Analyzer Classic for detailed analysis, with a potential for confusing discrepancies between the two sets of results. Also, the changes will be lost when you reload the project, as explained earlier.

Click Next to go on to the next step.

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4.3 Step 3: Choose Data


In the third step in creating a new Spotlight project, you must specify the data files that you want to examine. The template selected in step 1 defines the information that will be loaded into the project database and how it will be processed. Initially, the file list is empty:

Choose the data files to be processed by Spotlight: If you have just a few files to process, click the Add Files button and select one or more files, which will be added to the list of chosen files. If you have a folder full of file to be processed into Spotlight, click the Add Folder button and select the folder. If underneath the selected folder there are subfolders that also contain required data files, check the Add all subfolders box.

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Once the list of chosen files has been populated, you can remove a specific file by clicking the remove link at the end of the row. You can also use the Remove All Files button if necessary.

Click Done to load the data and open the Summary Dashboard.

The project will be saved to this folder: \Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Actix\Analyzer\Projects (depending on your current Windows user settings) For best use, aim for at least 1GB of free disk space per project. Spotlight supports a maximum populated data volume of about 3GB. The entire process of loading data is dependent on the volume of data to be loaded into the project. However, once the data has been loaded into the repository, it can be reattached very quickly.

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5 Using the Summary Dashboard


The Summary Dashboard shows an overview of the data loaded in the current Spotlight repository project.

If you have configured multiple devices during the template configuration phase, a separate tab per device will appear in the dashboard. Note that due to the potential amount of information on display, Spotlight is designed to be used at full application window size, so you should keep your Spotlight application window maximized at all times.

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5.1 Navigating around Spotlight


At the top of the page, the navigation bar allows you to move around in Spotlight. It also provides some useful functions from any stage of your analysis:

If your current project uses Global Filters, a related link appears in the navigation bar. Click on the link to show a dialog similar to this:

This dialog allows you to specify any files or streams that you want to exclude from the analysis, and allows you to filter by time (not shown above). Once you have specified the filter, note that you need to click the Add Filter link on the right to create the filter. If you have configured regional filtering, this dialog will also give you the option to filter by region.

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5.2 The Top Panel


The top panel has buttons linking to the Event Explorer and Radio Network Explorer pages. The panel also includes a Summary table consisting of information on the loaded dataset. The Reports link in this table displays all the existing reports defined to run on the template. The Log Files link displays a dialog listing the log files processed in the project. The three tabs allow you to filter by File and Stream, or by Stream.

The Analyzer Classic tab allows you to load selected files for analysis in Analyzer:

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5.3 The Issues Panel


On the left of the screen, this panel highlights particular issues that have been identified in the loaded data, based on the current threshold settings. If you have access to multiple technologies in the loaded data, a drop-down menu at the top of the panel allows you to switch between the technologies. The Critical Issues section includes event-based key performance indicators (KPIs) like dropped call rate, failed call rate and rate of calls with excessive setup time. The Important Issues section includes the various radio network analyses. Depending on the nature of the issue, click on one of these issues to open the appropriate analysis on either the Radio Network Explorer page or the Event Explorer page.

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5.4 The Map


In Spotlight, the map is an integral part of the interface. The Summary map shows the entire drive with the default (technology-dependent) attribute plotted:

CDMA EVDO GSM UMTS / HSPA

EcIo_1stBest Consolidated_SINR_For_Nth_Best_Pilot[0] ServRxLevSub Uu_ActiveSet_EcNo[0]

The drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so they may not necessarily align with the data points.

From this map, you may be able to see one or more areas that may require investigation, using a Spotlight report or by following a link for a critical or important issue. Cell sector wedges are color-coded as follows: green sectors were serving during part of the drive yellow sectors were seen during the drive but were never serving empty sectors were not seen during the drive

Note that this image shows the map window undocked; by default the map view is docked in Spotlight, resulting in the Map icon being displayed next to the File menu at the top left of the screen. Click on this icon to control the size of map window and its docked or undocked condition.

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6 Using Spotlight reports


Reports are a good place to start when attempting to identify problems in the loaded data. These can be accessed by clicking on the Reports link from Spotlight's Summary Dashboard page. Note that, to be available, a report must have been activated in the current project's template. A report shows all unfiltered data in the project database for the associated technology.

Here's an example HSPA report: Navigation tabs on the bottom left let you explore the various pages of the report. Spotlight provides the following reports:

CDMA (see p144) EVDO (see p147) EVDO Rev A (see p151) GSM (see p155) HSPA (see p160) UMTS (see p165)

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On the bottom right, the Show Excel Report button lets you open the report as a Microsoft Excel file. From here, you can use the functionality of Excel to perform further analyses on the data, or simply save the report as an Excel file or print it out. Note that the maps are inserted into the Excel file as linked bitmaps. This means that if you save the report in Excel for a project (A) and then run the report again on a different project (B), the map bitmaps will be updated to reflect the data in project B. If you subsequently reopen the workbook that you saved for project A, Excel will display a message saying that the workbook contains links to other data sources and asking whether you want to update them. Make sure you choose the Don't Update option, because otherwise the report will be updated with the maps from project B. The Save button exports the report as a web page. Note that the web page has an associated subfolder with a unique name containing various image and other files relating to that report. However, the image files in each subfolder are always called image1.gif, image2.gif, which may cause you problems in some situations.

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7 Using the Radio Network Explorer


7.1 About the Radio Network Explorer
You can access the Radio Network analyses from the Radio Network Explorer icon at the top of the Summary Dashboard page:

...or by clicking on an appropriate Issue link in the Issues panel on the left of the Summary Dashboard page:

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The available Radio Network analyses for all technologies are as follows:

CDMA/EVDO Cell Coverage CDMA/EVDO Neighbor List CDMA/EVDO Pilot Pollution EVDO System Performance LTE Cell Coverage GSM 2G Missing Neighbors GSM Cell Coverage UMTS/HSPA 3G Neighbor List UMTS/HSPA 3G-2G Neighbor List UMTS/HSPA Cell Coverage UMTS/HSPA Cell Pilot Pollution

When you are viewing a particular Radio Explorer analysis page, you may find that several analysis conditions apply, depending on the data loaded in the project. At the top left, you will see a tab for each of these, taking you to the appropriate analysis.

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7.2 CDMA / EVDO Cell Coverage analysis


You can use this analysis to:

Determine the coverage footprint for each cell. Visualize where a cell is the best server. Determine the relative grade of service as regards to EcIo, Mobile Rx Power and Mobile TX Power for selected cell(s), based on user-defined thresholds. Visualize where cells are overshooting their coverage design boundary, as defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold, shown by the red line surrounding a selected cell.

7.2.1 Before you start


You can use scanner or handset data for this analysis.

7.2.2 Using the cell coverage analysis


1 Click on an appropriate issue link (or on the Radio Network Explorer image followed by the Cell Coverage tab) to open the Cell Coverage analysis page.

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Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points. 2 3 From the top table, click on the column heading # > Dist. to sort the table by this value. Look for differences between the # > Dist. value and # Samples. Be careful not to include sectors with low sample counts (for example, below 50) as these will not be statistically relevant. Here is one such site - Site A, Sector 3. Some samples (highlighted) are shown well outside the overspill threshold (the red circle around the selected cell) and close to another cell.

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In this example, scanner data is available, so select the Analysis to be Scanner - Where Seen to visualize the coverage situation for the loaded data.

Note that as the samples are now no longer seen, this is not a problem.

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Continuing to investigate the sectors from the top table, we find another potential problem sector, Site B Sector 2.

There may be a problem with the highlighted neighboring sector, which could be solved by downtilting the selected sector. First, check that the two cells are twoway neighbors.

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7.2.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows summary information. Clicking on a row in this table causes the side panel to display more information about the site, and the map zooms to the site and displays its coverage. Map - When you click a row in the top table or on a site on the map, the map shows the coverage wedge for the selected cell, EcIo and the CDMA_Important_Issues (CDMA Grade of Service) attribute. The red circle represents the coverage design boundary, configured using SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold. Data points outside this circle represent overspill. Side Panel - When no rows are selected, the side panel displays overview information. A table shows details of the sites: Best EcIo, Rx Power, and CDMA Grade of Service. When a site is selected, the panel shows various KPI values for the site and a histogram of the distances at which the cell was measured. A red line indicates the maximum range for the analysis, as defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes List of most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages. Events List of the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. So while looking at pilot pollution you could dump the CDMA Dropped Call event on the map and quickly find out if the call dropped due to pilot pollution. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Analysis Select Scanner (Best Server/Where Seen) or Handset (Best Server/Where Seen) analysis. The analysis can operate in two modes: Best Server and Where Seen. Changing the mode affects the Ec/Io attribute that is displayed on the map. Best Server mode shows the Ec/Io when the selected cell was the best server is displayed. Where Seen mode shows the Ec/Io whenever the cell was measured, and shows the coverage footprint for only those cells that were the best servers at some point in the drive. PN Search Visualize a PN on the map. Select a PN to color red all the sites with this PN, so you can quickly identify co-PN locations. Overview Displays in the left panel an overview of statistics, plus Grade of Service percentages for the entire drive. The map also shows the Grade of Service (the legend also shows sample counts).

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This table shows how the CDMA Grade of Service is computed at each point: CDMA Grade of Service Excess interference External interference Weak reverse link Weak forward link Low Rx signal Poor coverage *Conditions: EcIo condition* Within Within Exceed Within Exceed Within MRx Power condition* Exceed Exceed Exceed Within Within Within MTX Power condition* Within Exceed Exceed Within Exceed Exceed

EcIo compared with CDMA_EcIoCombinedThreshold - This condition is used in conjunction with Mobile Rx Power and Mobile Tx Power Thresholds to determine the diagnosis for the dropped call, failed call and voice call with poor quality. Recommended value is -12 dB. Values should vary between -16 and -12 dB. Mobile Rx Power compared with CDMA_MobileRxPowerThreshold - This condition is used in conjunction with EcIo and Mobile Tx Power Thresholds to determine the diagnosis for the dropped call, failed call and voice call with poor quality. Recommended value is -80 dBm. Values should vary between -75 and -90 dBm. Mobile Tx Power compared with CDMA_MobileTxPowerThreshold - This condition is used in conjunction with EcIo and Mobile Rx Power Thresholds to determine the diagnosis for the dropped call, failed call and voice call with poor quality. Recommended value is 5 dBm. Values should vary between 0 and 10 dBm.

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7.3 CDMA / EVDO Neighbor List analysis


This lets you use scanner data to optimize neighbor lists for sites within a userdefined radius of the selected cell. The missing neighbor algorithm generates add, remove and retain neighbor recommendations for each site and cell based on scanner measurements, and these can be exported directly to a CSV file for easy import and to update the switch directly.

7.3.1 Before you start


For this analysis, the project will need to contain scanner data.

7.3.2 Using the neighbor list analysis


1 To start this analysis, from the Summary Dashboard page click on the Radio Network Explorer button and click on this tab, or click on an appropriate Issue in the left-hand Issues panel. If you have not done so before, check the data settings that control the neighbor list analysis algorithm.

Go to the top table and sort by the Add column.

You can now see the sector with the highest number of recommended additions to its neighbor list.

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Click on the top row in the table to show information for that sector.

The map now shows green lines to each new neighbor recommendation. The thickness of each line shows how well the suggestion meets the criteria of the analysis. The circle represents the user-defined radius used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. The map also displays the data points used in the analysis. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points. 5 Examine each suggested additional neighbor. You may have reasons for refusing to accept the suggestion on geographical grounds (for example, existing cells between the sector and the suggested addition, as occurs several times in this example), or for reasons related to the data settings. For example, you may think that the number of samples was too small to justify the addition - in which case you may also want to alter the related data setting, which will immediately update the analysis. Also, you may know that one or more sites will be going off-air and should not be selected. If you disagree with a suggested addition, you may want to use the PN Search feature to find an alternative sector to add to the neighbor list. Note that in this case you will not be able to output your choice, and will need to make the correction to the switch manually (for example, by editing the CSV file).

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If you accept all suggestions for a sector, you can click the related button in the table to mark your choice.

Note that the number beside the button changes to match your selection. For example, if there were 6 suggested additions in the first row, with none currently selected for export, the number would show 0/6. If you clicked the button, the number would read 6/6. If you do not want to select every recommendation for a sector, you can use the table in the side panel on the left, which shows each recommendation for a sector individually. So if you selected 3 additions, this would result in the number reading 3/6. This can be useful if there are a large number of recommendations and you need to keep track of how many you have already selected. 7 8 Repeat this process for each row in the top table, as necessary. You can now go through the same process for the 'Removals' column. Note that by default the map does not show lines for removal recommendations. Once you are satisfied with the recommendations that you have selected, you can output them to a CSV file. From the top of the page, click the Export data link.

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7.3.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Summary information is displayed in the top panel. It includes in a tabular form number of addition, removals and retains neighbor recommendations for every site. Clicking on a row in this table causes neighbor information for the selected cell to be displayed in the side panel, and lines to neighbors to be drawn on the map. Map - When a row is clicked in the top panel or a site is clicked on the map, lines to neighbors are drawn from that site. The circle represents the user defined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. Side Panel - Details of the neighbor recommendations are displayed on the side panel. Check boxes next to a recommendation can be selected for export to a CSV file. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes List of most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages. Events List of the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Export data Select this link to export neighbor recommendations to a CSV file. PN Search Visualize a PN on the map. Input a PN to visualize on the map and this feature would color red all the sites with this PN. This helps in quickly identifying co-PN locations. Data Settings This link opens up a dialog box for configuring the algorithm that Spotlight uses for the missing neighbor analysis, which can be used to build lists of suggested neighbor cells to add and remove. All of the options take effect immediately after you click OK. See below for more information.

7.3.4 Data Settings


Setting Ec/Io Threshold (dB) Maximum Neighbors Addition Threshold (%) Default -17 Description Only scanner measurements above this used-defined EcIo threshold will be included in the analysis. Defines the maximum number of cells in the neighbor list. Defines the percentage of samples that must be reached to trigger a cell being added as a suggested neighbor. This is used to reduce the effect of stray signals.

13 1

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Setting Removal Threshold (%)

Default 0.2

Description Defines the minimum percentage of samples that cells in the current neighbor list must achieve in order to be recommended for retention in the list. When the percentages of samples fall below this threshold, cells will be recommended for removal from the list. Only sectors which have been measured above the Ec/Io Threshold at least this many times will be included in the analysis. Note that the algorithm works off Binned data. Defines the maximum line-of-sight distance in meters between two cells for one to be considered for inclusion on the other's neighbor list. For rural areas where the average intersite distance is naturally greater than a dense urban environment, use a higher value. To disable this feature, set this value to 0. Defines the maximum angle between the edge of a cell's beam width and the data point, for that cell to be considered for inclusion in the serving cell's neighbor list.

Minimum Measurements Maximum Intersite Distance (meters)

50

20000

Angle to site threshold (degrees)

90

In this example, the beam width is shown as a darker blue arc, and the angle to site threshold in lighter blue arcs on either side. Acceptable data points are within this threshold of the candidate sector's beam width, and are also within the Maximum Intersite Distance (the blue circle). This threshold ensures that missing neighbors are not suggested from reflected signals or back-lobes, and also that only cells angled towards the data point are suggested. To disable this feature, set this value to 0.

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Setting Include existing neighbors Only process first best PN Max Neighbor List Size

Default Selected

Description Select this option for the current neighbor list in the cellrefs file to be considered for additions and removals. Select this option to analyze the neighbors of the best cell only. De-select this option if you want to analyze the neighbor list of all of the cells within the reporting range. Allows you to define the maximum number of recommended neighbors. Note that the more potential neighbors you add, the longer it will take a handset to find appropriate neighbors, conceivably resulting in a dropped call.

Selected

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Once a potential neighbor list has been calculated for each data point, they are aggregated by serving cell to produce the recommended neighbor list. This is compared with the existing list to calculate which are additions, retentions and removals.

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7.4 CDMA / EVDO Pilot Pollution analysis


This lets you quickly identify pilot pollution in the inbound (how the selected sector is being polluted by other sectors) and outbound (how the selected sector is polluting other sectors) directions, and view the offending sectors on the map. You can determine the relative degree of pollution for each cell and prioritize which cells in the network are strong candidates for downtilts and coverage optimization.

7.4.1 Before you start


You can use scanner or handset data for this analysis.

7.4.2 Using the pilot pollution analysis


1 To start this analysis, from the Summary Dashboard, click on an appropriate Issue in the left-hand Issues panel, such as Too Many Servers (a pilot pollution issue). Alternatively, click on the Radio Network Explorer button and click on the Cell Pilot Pollution tab.

The map shows the drive test data and the Pilot Pollution events. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, events plotted on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use their exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points.
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Sort the top table by Pilot Pollution Events and click on the top row (that is, the sector with the most associated pilot pollution problems). In this example that is CDMA_Site_41, Sector 3, which has 183 pilot pollution events. The map now highlights the selected sector. Outbound pollution lines are drawn in red from the selected sector to the sectors being polluted. The arrow on each line points from the polluting sector to the polluted sector. The thickness of the lines indicates the degree to which pilot pollution was detected for the selected sector, based on the loaded data. Inbound pilot pollution lines are drawn in blue. Rolling over a line with the cursor shows a pop-up message box giving more information on the pollution.

The left hand panel displays details of the outbound pollution for the selected sector. In this example, the selected sector is polluting three other sectors.

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Now de-select the Outbound Pilot Pollution Total box to hide the outbound polluting lines and select the Inbound Pilot Pollution Total box.

The left hand panel displays details of the inbound pollution for the selected sector. In this example, the selected sector is being polluted by five other sectors. Note that you can also sort this table - for example by distance, which helps you identify distant sectors that might need downtilting, or if the serving cell needs uptilting for greater coverage.

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7.4.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows summary information. It includes in a tabular form the number of pilot pollution events for each site and the total number of inbound/outbound polluters. Click on a column title to sort the table by this value. Clicking on a row in this table displays pilot pollution information for the selected cell in the side panel, and draws lines to polluters on the map. Map - When you click a row in the top table or on a site on the map, lines to inbound as well as outbound pollution are drawn from that site. All the pilot pollution events involving the site are also plotted on the map. The lines to polluters have a direction arrow suggesting inbound or outbound pollution. Side Panel - Shows details of the inbound and outbound pollution for the selected site. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes. Select one or more to plot on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages. Events Lists event attributes, Select one or more to plot on the map. So, while looking at pilot pollution you could dump the CDMA Dropped Call / EVDO Dropped Connections event on the map and quickly find out if the connection was dropped due to pilot pollution. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Analysis Select Scanner or Handset analysis. Overview Click to display an overview of pilot pollution for the entire drive. PN Search Visualize a PN on the map. Select a PN to color red all the sites with this PN so you can quickly identify co-PN locations.

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7.5 EVDO System Performance analysis


EVDO system coverage tests are intended to characterize network performance and coverage, and verify that the system meets the following recommended performance criteria:

Signal to Interference & Noise Ratio (SINR) Packet Error Rate (PER) Mobile Tx Power

Mobile Rx Power RLP Rx Throughput RLP Tx Throughput DRC Rate

7.5.1 Before you start


For this analysis, the project will need to contain handset data.

7.5.2 Using the system performance analysis


1 Before using this analysis, from the Summary Dashboard, select the EVDO Report. Examine the report to obtain an overview of the system performance. Click on the Radio Network Explorer icon and then the System Performance tab.

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The System Performance page provides information on whether a particular performance metric has been met for the various sectors shown in the top table. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any Events displayed on the map (for example, by using the drop-down menu) will use the exact event position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points. 3 4 Select from the Metrics drop-down menu the performance metric that you want to examine. Click the column title # < Threshold to show the sectors with the highest number of samples that exceed the performance threshold. Check the # Samples column to make sure that you are looking at data that is statistically significant - for example, with 50 or more samples. The Performance Met column shows whether the currently selected metric has been achieved or failed for each sector. 5 Click on a row in the table to show various KPI values for the selected site and a distribution chart for the currently selected metric.

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Click on the sector icon next to the Performance Met column heading to show on the map those sectors that are not performing adequately.

7.5.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows summary information. When no rows are selected, overview information is displayed in the side panel and on the map, and by default the SINR analysis is presented. You can select the metric on which to run the test from the Metrics drop-down menu. A table shows information on individual sites, including information such as the Average metric, total samples, performance met/not met result etc. Clicking on a row in this table causes the side panel to display more information about the site and a distribution chart for the metric. Map - When you click a row in the top table or on a site on the map, the map shows the corresponding metric for the selected site. Side Panel - Displays various KPI values for the selected site and a distribution chart for the currently selected metric. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes List of most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages.

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Events List of the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Metrics Select the performance metric to be used for the analysis. You can easily switch between metrics. Overview Click on this link to display an overview of system performance for the entire drive. PN Search Visualize a PN on the map. Specify a PN to color red all the sites with this PN, to quickly identify Co-PN locations.

7.5.4 Performance metrics


Metric SINR Notes Compares Consolidated_SINR_For_Nth_Best_Pilot_0 with the user-defined SINR threshold Average_SINR_PN0_Threshold. Low SINR % = (Measurement bins with SINR < Thresh) / (Total Measurement bins)) X 100 Performance criteria met, if: (1 - % of Low SINR) > (EVDO_SINR_Recommended_Performance_Threshold) % PER Compares PER_Instantaneous with the user-defined PER threshold Average_PER_Threshold. High PER % = (Measurement bins with PER > Thresh) / (Total measurement bins) X 100 Performance criteria met, if: ((1 - % of High PER) > (EVDO_PER_Recommended_Performance_Threshold) % Mobile Rx Power Compares AGCPower_Received_Antenna0 with the userdefined Rx Power threshold EVDO_MobileRxPower_Threshold. Low Rx Power % = (Meas Bins with Rx Power < Thresh) / (Total measurement bins) X 100 Performance criteria met, if: (1 - % of Low RX) > (EVDO_RXPWR_Recommended_Performance_Threshold) % Mobile Tx Power Compares TotalPower_Transmitted with the user-defined TX Pwr threshold EVDO_MobileTxPower_Threshold. High TX Power % = (Meas Bins with TX Power > Thresh) / (Total measurement bins) X 100 Performance criteria met, if: (1 - % of High TX) > (EVDO_TXPWR_Recommended_Performance_Threshold) %

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Metric RLP Rx Throughput

Notes Compares EVDO_RLP_Rx_Throughput_Instantaneous with the user-defined RLP threshold Average_RxRlpThputInst_Threshold. Low RLP Rx Thpt % = (Meas Bins with RLP Rx Thpt < Thresh) / (Total measurement bins) X 100 Performance criteria met, if: (1 - % of Low RLP Rx) > (RLPRxThpt_Recommended_Performance_Threshold) %

RLP Tx Throughput

Compares EVDO_RLP_Tx_Throughput_Instantaneous with the user-defined RLP threshold Average_TxRlpThputInst_Threshold. Low RLP TX Thpt % = (Meas Bins with RLP TX Thpt < Thresh) / (Total measurement bins) X 100 Performance criteria met, if: (1 - % of Low RLP TX) > (RLPTxThpt_Recommended_Performance_Threshold) %

DRC Rate

Compares DataRate_Requested_ShortTermAverage_Kbps with the user-defined DRC Rate threshold EVDO_DRC_Rate_Requested_Threshold. Low DRC % = (Bins with DRC < Thresh) / (Total measurement bins) X 100 Performance criteria met, if: (1 - % of Low DRC) > (EVDO_DRC_Recommended_Performance_Threshold) %

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7.6 GSM Cell Coverage analysis


You can use this analysis to:

Determine the coverage footprint for each cell. Visualize where a cell is the best server. Determine the relative grade of service as regards to EcIo, Mobile Rx Power and Mobile TX Power for selected cell(s), based on a user-defined threshold. Visualize where cells are overshooting their coverage design boundary as defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold (drawn as a red circle on the map). Visualize the neighbor BCCH, TCH and BSIC plans, within the range G_Interference_Radius (drawn as a dotted blue circle on the map).

7.6.1 Before you start


You can use scanner or handset data for this analysis.

7.6.2 Example of No Dominance


The Summary Dashboard shows an Important Issue: '% area with No Serving Cell Dominance'. See Coverage criteria to see how this was derived.

1 2

From the Summary Dashboard, click on an appropriate 'issue' link to open the Cell Coverage analysis page, for example the issue shown above. Note that several rows in the top table have a low sample count, '#', and so are unreliable to use in this investigation.

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To remove rows with low sample counts, apply a Filter with a threshold of, say, 50 counts. Click Add Filter and OK.

From the Attribute drop-down menu, select an attribute to plot on the map, base on the related Important Issue from the Summary Dashboard (for this example, No Serving Cell Dominance): Attribute ServRxQualSub ServRxLevSub NumNeighbors within 5 dB

Important Issue Poor Voice Quality Poor Signal Strength No Serving Cell Dominance

The attribute is used in the calculation to identify the issue, as explained in Coverage criteria. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points.

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Examine the top table of the analysis for indications of poorly performing cells relating to the Important Issue, and select likely candidate rows. In the example below, a problem row has been selected. The first map image shows the 'NumNeighbors within 5 dB' attribute plotted, which highlights an area of poor dominance (drawn in red). The second map image shows RxLev (Where Seen) plotted for the same sector, which shows that it covers an unnecessarily large area. This could be corrected by applying some downtilt to the sector.

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7.6.3 Example of GSM visualization


This analysis can also be used to highlight and investigate interference issues, based on the information held in the cellrefs file. In this example, the Quality tab of the side panel shows a high percentage of Poor RxQual at the same time as Good RxLev, which is usually an indicator of interference. 1 2 Use the top table to locate and select cells exhibiting this combination of poor RxQual and good RxLev. Now from the side panel, select the Visualization tab.

Depending on the information available, up to four radio buttons are displayed at the top of the panel with which you can pick the required type of cell plan visualization. If you have interference, you may need to see if there are any cells in the area that have the same frequencies. On the map you can see the selected sector in gray, together with colored co-channel, adjacent lower and adjacent higher interference sectors. The cell coverage radius is shown as a red circle, and the cell plan visualization radius is shown as a dotted blue circle. If TCH information is present in the cellrefs file, radio buttons will be displayed for the two TCH display options, and TCHList information will appear in the pop-up sector information.

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7.6.4 Features of this analysis page

Map - When you click a row in the top table or on a site on the map, the map shows the coverage wedge for the selected cell, EcIo & RSCP. The red circle represents the user-configured coverage design boundary, and data points outside this circle represent overspill. Analysis The page can operate in two analysis modes: Best Server and Where Seen. Best Server mode shows the Ec/Io attribute when the selected cell was the best server (and also RxQual). The Where Seen mode shows RxLev whenever the cell was measured; coverage footprints can only be seen for those cells that were best servers at least once during the drive. SC Search Visualize a SC on the map. Input a SC to visualize on the map and this feature would color red all the sites with this SC. This quickly identifies co-SC locations. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Events Lists the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages. Top Panel - Shows a table of summary information. Clicking on a row in this table causes the side panel to display more information about the site and the map zooms to the site and displays its coverage. The table containing the following information: Handset (Where Seen / Best Server)

BCCH # - Number of samples. Ensure that the site you are looking at has a statistically viable number of samples. > D(ist.) - Number of samples greater than the coverage design boundary (defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold). RxQual, RxLev, (Average, Max, Min). Note that clicking on the icon only displays the Average value. % > Beam Percentage of points outside the cell beamwidth. % >180 Beam Percentage of points outside a hypothetical beamwidth of 180 degrees. Link Diff This is the difference between UL and DL pathloss and is used to highlight cell with possible LNA (TMA) issues, if the difference is greater the 8 dB, where: UL = UE Tx Power - BTS Sensitivity + BTS Antenna Gain DL = BTS EIRP - RxLevSub
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Poor Ql, Poor Lv and No Dom - see Coverage criteria below for details. Scanner (Where Seen / Best Server) As Handset but no RxQual or Link Diff information in the top table.

Side Panel - Each tab displays various KPIs for the selected site. Note that if you have the Visualization tab selected and you select a sector not included in the visualization, you will lose the other tabs, and will need to click on a row in the top table to show them again. Quality tab - (Handset data only) Shows the percentage of Good and Poor RxQual and RxLev in the data (see Coverage criteria for details).

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Distance tab - Displays a histogram of the distances at which the cell was measured. A red line at the top indicates the maximum range for the analysis (equating to the red circle on the map), as defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold (changeable from the Tools, Display Thresholds command). Note that the side panel only shows Best Server data, so if you set the Analysis (see below) to 'Where Seen', the map will only show Where Seen data, so there may appear to be a discrepancy between the two views.

Visualization tab - Displays BCCH, TCH (if available in the cellrefs file) and Co BSIC co- and adjacent channel interference on the map by coloring in the interfering sectors, out to a distance defined by the threshold G_Interference_Radius (which can be changed using the Tools, Display Thresholds command). See also the previous worked example of GSM visualization. Note that the color is determined by the first satisfied condition, in the following order: BCCH co-interference, TCH co-interference, BCCH adjacent upper, BCCH adjacent lower, TCH adjacent upper, TCH adjacent lower.

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%Intrf or %Interference in the visualization table is the ratio between the number of interfering channels in common and the sum of all the channels on the cell. So in the BCCH example below, there is 1 BCCH channel and 3 TCH channels used by the sector. Each row shows only one interfering BCCH channel, and so the %Intrf is 100% x 1/4 = 25%.

In the TCH example below, there is 1 BCCH channel and 3 TCH channels used by the sector. Each row shows three interfering TCH channels, and so the %Intrf is 100% x 3/4 = 75%.

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TCH Co/adjacent Channel % is shown below. This type of visualization is inappropriate for frequency hopping - that is, where baseband or synthesized traffic channels are being used.

Co BSIC visualization is shown below. This is used to distinguish between two different cells which are on the same BCCH. Orange sectors show that there is another cell on the same BSIC (co BSIC channel interference), and red sectors show that the cell also has the same BCCH.

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7.6.5 Coverage criteria


Condition Poor Voice Quality Poor Signal Strength No Serving Cell Dominance Top table column or Quality tab* Poor Quality, Poor Ql Poor Leverl, Poor Lv No Dom Criteria ServRxQualSub < G_RxQualSub_Max threshold ServRxLevSub < G_RxLevSub_Min threshold If the sum of all these conditions is > 2: ((ServRxLevSubNborRxLev[n])<5) * (abs(ServBCCHNborBCCH[n])<375), where n is 0 to 5. Where none of the above conditions is true.

Good Design

G. Design %

*This is the percentage of data points where one (or more than one) condition applies.

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7.7 GSM 2G Missing Neighbors analysis


This lets you use scanner data to optimize neighbor lists for sites within a userdefined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) of the selected cell. Where the serving cell cannot carry a call due to interference or poor radio conditions, the call needs to be moved to a better cell. If the cellrefs file contains neighbor information, the analysis examines the relationship between the existing neighbors and the potential neighbors as seen by the scanner, and generates add, remove and retain recommendations for each site and cell. You can export the suggestions made by the analysis directly to a CSV file for easy import and to update the switch directly.

7.7.1 Before you start


You will need to have loaded a suitable GSM scanner stream.

7.7.2 Using the neighbor list analysis


1 To start this analysis, from the Summary Dashboard page, click on the Radio Network Explorer button and click on this tab, or click on an appropriate link in the left-hand Issues panel. If you have not done so before, check the data settings that control the neighbor list analysis algorithm. In this example, we will be interested in the Minimum Samples and the Addition Threshold. If you alter a data setting, the analysis will immediately update.

Sort the top table by the Add column. You can now see the sector with the highest number of recommended additions to its neighbor list. Check that the Server Count column shows an acceptable value (you can also define a cutoff threshold using Minimum Samples in the Data Settings dialog as shown above).

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Click on the top row in the table to show information for that sector.

The map now shows lines to the recommended additions (there are many additions in this example as the cellrefs file does not contain any 3G-2G neighbor definitions - therefore there are also no retentions or removals suggested). The thickness of each line shows how well the suggestion meets the criteria of the analysis. The circle represents the radius of the Maximum Intersite Distance (defined in the Data Settings dialog) used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. The map also displays the data points used in the analysis. The side panel on the left shows each recommendation for a sector individually, sorted by the % of data points that meet the recommendation algorithm. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points.

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Examine each suggested additional neighbor. If you accept all suggestions for a sector, you can click the related button in the table to mark your choice. Note that the number beside the button changes to match your selection. For example, if there were 12 suggested additions in the first row, with none currently selected for export, the number would show 0/12. If you clicked the button, the number would read 12/12. If you do not want to select every recommendation for a sector, you can use the table in the side panel on the left. So if you selected 5 additions, this would result in the number reading 5/12. This can be useful if there are a large number of recommendations and you need to keep track of how many you have already selected.

You may have reasons for refusing to accept the suggestion on geographical grounds (for example, existing cells between the sector and the suggested addition), or for reasons related to the data settings. Also, you may know that one or more sites will be going off-air and should not be selected. Note that the more potential neighbors you add, the longer it will take for a handset to find appropriate neighbors, conceivably resulting in a dropped call. You may well have an upper limit already defined by your internal guidelines, but you can also control this using the Data Settings link at the top of the screen and specify a new Max Neighbor List Size value. 6 7 Repeat this process for each row in the top table, as necessary. You could now go through the same process for the 'Removals' column (this example contains no 'removals' suggestions). Note that by default the map does not show lines for removal recommendations.
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Once you are satisfied with the recommendations that you have selected, you can output them to a CSV file. From the top of the page, click the Export data link.

7.7.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows add, removal and retention neighbor recommendations for every site, together with related site information. Clicking on a row in this table displays neighbor information for the selected cell in the side panel, and draw lines to neighbors on the map. The box beside each recommendation type shows which color it will be drawn in on the map click on the check box to show or hide that particular recommendation type (by default, Removals are not shown). Map - When you click a row in the table or a site on the map, lines to neighbors are drawn from that site. The circle represents the user-defined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. The map also shows the data points used in the analysis. Side Panel - Shows details of the neighbor recommendations. Check boxes next to a recommendation can be selected for export to a CSV file. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages. Events Lists the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Export data Select this link to export neighbor recommendations to a CSV file. Data Settings This link opens up a dialog box for configuring the algorithm that Spotlight uses for the missing neighbor analysis, which can be used to build lists of suggested neighbor cells to add and remove. All of the options take effect immediately after you click OK. See below for more information.

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7.7.4 Data settings for this page


Setting RxLev Threshold (dB) Reporting Range (dB) Addition Threshold (%) Default -95 Description The RxLev of the serving cell must be better than this threshold value for the cell to be considered in this analysis. The RxLev of any candidate neighbor cell must be no worse than this value from the RxLev Threshold for the cell to be considered in this analysis (so no worse than 100 dB if using the default value for RxLev Threshold). Defines the percentage of samples that must be reached to trigger a cell being added as a suggested neighbor, where the percentage is: 100 * (No. of samples where cell X is the serving cell to Y) / (Total no. of samples where X is the serving cell) where the thresholds relate to whether Y should be added (or removed, see below) from Xs neighbor list. This is used to reduce the effect of stray signals. Removal Threshold (%) 0.2 Defines the minimum percentage of samples that cells in the current neighbor list must achieve in order to be recommended for retention in the list. When the percentages of samples fall below this threshold, cells will be recommended for removal from the list. Only sectors which have been measured above the Ec/Io Threshold at least this many times will be included in the analysis. Note that the algorithm works off Binned data. Defines the maximum line-of-sight distance in meters between two cells for one to be considered for inclusion on the other's neighbor list. For rural areas where the average intersite distance is naturally greater than a dense urban environment, use a higher value. To disable this feature, set this value to 0. Select this option to analyze the neighbors of the best cell only. De-select this option if you want to analyze the neighbor list of all of the cells meeting the other criteria. Allows you to define the maximum number of recommended neighbors. Note that the more potential neighbors you add, the longer it will take for a handset to find appropriate neighbors, conceivably resulting in a dropped call.

Minimal Samples Maximum Intersite Distance (meters)

50

5000

Only process first best ARFCN Max Neighbor List Size

Selected

32

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Setting Angle to site threshold (degrees)

Default 90

Description Defines the maximum angle between the edge of a cell's beam width and the data point, for that cell to be considered for inclusion in the serving cell's neighbor list.

In this example, the beam width is shown as a darker blue arc, and the angle to site threshold in lighter blue arcs on either side. Acceptable data points are within this threshold of the candidate sector's beam width, and are also within the Maximum Intersite Distance (the blue circle). This threshold ensures that missing neighbors are not suggested from reflected signals or back-lobes, and also that only cells angled towards the data point are suggested. To disable this feature, set this value to 0. Once a potential neighbor list has been calculated for each data point, they are aggregated by serving cell to produce the recommended neighbor list. This is compared with the existing list to calculate which are additions, retentions and removals.

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7.8 LTE Cell Coverage analysis


You can use this analysis to:

Determine the coverage footprint for each cell. Quickly visualize where a cell is the best server, by selecting a cell. Visually determine where cells are overshooting their coverage design boundary (defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold).

7.8.1 Before you start


You can only use scanner data for this analysis.

7.8.2 Example
The Summary Dashboard shows an Important Issue relating to Poor Coverage. Hovering over the link shows the thresholds used to identify this issue.

Note that these thresholds have already been applied to the loaded data, and changing the thresholds at this point will have no effect on the analysis. 1 From the Summary Dashboard, click on an appropriate issue link or the Radio Explorer icon to open the Cell Coverage analysis page.

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The Issues panel showed a high percentage of Poor Coverage issues, so examine the top table of the analysis for indications of poorly performing cells. Note that several rows have a low sample count and so are unreliable to use in this investigation. To remove rows with low sample counts, apply a Filter with a threshold of, say, 50 counts by selecting #Samples, > and enter 50. Click Add Filter and OK.

Sort by Av RSRP by clicking on the column heading.

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Color the cells by RSRP by clicking on the multi-cell icon beside the column heading (the icon should become colored to indicate this is toggled on).

Select the top sector row.

Looking at the map, note that there are some samples with poor RSRP despite being very close to the problem sector.
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7.8.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows a table of summary information. The table contains the following information: Scanner # - Number of samples. Ensure that you are looking at a statistically sensible number of samples. > Dist - Number of samples greater than the coverage design boundary (defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold). RSRP, RSRQ (Max, Min, Ave). > Beam Percentage of points outside the cell beamwidth. >180 Beam Percentage of points outside an imaginary beamwidth of 180 degrees. Clicking on a row in this table causes the side panel to display more information about the site. The map zooms to the site and displays its coverage.

Map - When you click a row in the top table or on a site on the map, the map shows the coverage wedge for the selected cell, RSRP and RSRQ. The red circle represents the user-configured coverage design boundary, and data points outside this circle represent overspill. Side Panel Quality tab Displays a quadrant chart with the percentage values of points in good/bad RSRP and good/bad RSRQ, as defined by LTE_Scan_PoorRSRP_Threshold and LTE_Scan_PoorRSRQ_Threshold. Dist tab Displays a histogram of the distances at which the cell was measured. A red line indicates the maximum range for the analysis, as defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold. Vis tab Displays cell details.

Analysis Select LTE Scanner Where Seen or Best Server analysis mode. Changing the mode affects the RSRP attribute that is displayed on the map. Best Server mode shows the RSRP when the selected cell was the best server. The Where Seen mode shows the RSRP whenever the cell was measured; coverage footprints can only be seen for those cells that were best servers at least once during the drive. In multi-carrier environments, you can perform analyses from the perspective of one carrier. Cell Search Visualize a cell on the map. Input a Site Name, Sector ID, or PCI (previously named L1_CID) to visualize; this feature would color red all the cell(s) matching the selected criteria. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Events Lists the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently there are no events to display. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages.
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7.9 UMTS / HSPA 3G Neighbor List analysis


This lets you use scanner data to optimize neighbor lists for sites within a userdefined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) of the selected cell. Where the serving cell cannot carry a call due to interference or poor radio conditions, the call needs to be moved to a better cell. If the cellrefs file contains neighbor information, the analysis examines the relationship between the existing neighbors and the potential neighbors as seen by the scanner, and generates add, remove and retain recommendations for each site and cell. You can export the suggestions made by the analysis directly to a CSV file for easy import and to update the switch directly.

7.9.1 Before you start


You will need to have loaded a suitable GSM scanner stream.

7.9.2 Using the neighbor list analysis


1 To start this analysis, from the Summary Dashboard page, click on the Radio Network Explorer button and click on this tab, or click on an appropriate link in the left-hand Issues panel. If you have not done so before, check the data settings that control the neighbor list analysis algorithm. In this example, we will be interested in the Minimum Samples and the Addition Threshold. If you alter a data setting, the analysis will immediately update.

Sort the top table by the Add column. You can now see the sector with the highest number of recommended additions to its neighbor list. Check that the Server Count column shows an acceptable value (you can also define a cutoff threshold using Minimum Samples in the Data Settings dialog as shown above).

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Click on the top row in the table to show information for that sector.

The map now shows lines to the recommended additions (there are many additions in this example as the cellrefs file does not contain any 3G-2G neighbor definitions - therefore there are also no retentions or removals suggested). The thickness of each line shows how well the suggestion meets the criteria of the analysis. The circle represents the radius of the Maximum Intersite Distance (defined in the Data Settings dialog) used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. The map also displays the data points used in the analysis. The side panel on the left shows each recommendation for a sector individually, sorted by the % of data points that meet the recommendation algorithm. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points.

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Examine each suggested additional neighbor. If you accept all suggestions for a sector, you can click the related button in the table to mark your choice. Note that the number beside the button changes to match your selection. For example, there were 12 suggested additions in the first row, with none currently selected for export, the number would show 0/12. If you clicked the button, the number would read 12/12. If you do not want to select every recommendation for a sector, you can use the table in the side panel on the left. So if you selected 5 additions, this would result in the number reading 5/12. This can be useful if there are a large number of recommendations and you need to keep track of how many you have already selected.

You may have reasons for refusing to accept the suggestion on geographical grounds (for example, existing cells between the sector and the suggested addition), or for reasons related to the data settings. Also, you may know that one or more sites will be going off-air and should not be selected. Note that the more potential neighbors you add, the longer it will take a handset to find appropriate neighbors, conceivably resulting in a dropped call. You may well have an upper limit already defined by your internal guidelines, but you can also control this using the Data Settings link at the top of the screen and specify a new Max Neighbor List Size value. 6 7 Repeat this process for each row in the top table, as necessary. You could now go through the same process for the 'Removals' column (this example contains no 'removals' suggestions). Note that by default the map does not show lines for removal recommendations.
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Once you are satisfied with the recommendations that you have selected, you can output them to a CSV file. From the top of the page, click the Export data link.

7.9.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows add, removal and retention neighbor recommendations for every site, together with related site information. Clicking on a row in this table displays neighbor information for the selected cell in the side panel, and draw lines to neighbors on the map. The box beside each recommendation type shows which color it will be drawn in on the map click on the check box to show or hide that particular recommendation type (by default, Removals are not shown). Map - When you click a row in the table or a site on the map, lines to neighbors are drawn from that site. The circle represents the user-defined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. The map also shows the data points used in the analysis. Side Panel - Shows details of the neighbor recommendations. Check boxes next to a recommendation can be selected for export to a CSV file. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages. Events Lists the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Export data Select this link to export neighbor recommendations to a CSV file. Data Settings This link opens up a dialog box for configuring the algorithm that Spotlight uses for the missing neighbor analysis, which can be used to build lists of suggested neighbor cells to add and remove. All of the options take effect immediately after you click OK. See below for more information. Find SC This link allows you to visualize an SC on the map. Specify an SC and this feature colors red all the sites using this SC. Scanner Frequency The results can be filtered by carrier.

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7.9.4 Data settings for this page


Setting RxLev Threshold (dB) Reporting Range (dB) Addition Threshold (%) Removal Threshold (%) Default -95 Description The RxLev of the serving cell must be better than this value before the cell will be considered in the analysis. The RxLev of the serving cell must be no further than this from the RxLev Threshold before the cell will be considered in the analysis (so no worse than -100 dB if using the default values). Defines the percentage of samples that must be reached to trigger a cell being added as a suggested neighbor. This is used to reduce the effect of stray signals. Defines the minimum percentage of samples that cells in the current neighbor list must achieve in order to be recommended for retention in the list. When the percentages of samples fall below this threshold, cells will be recommended for removal from the list. Only sectors which have been measured above the Ec/Io Threshold at least this many times will be included in the analysis. Note that the algorithm works off Binned data Defines the maximum line-of-sight distance in meters between two cells for one to be considered for inclusion on the other's neighbor list. For rural areas where the average intersite distance is naturally greater than a dense urban environment, use a higher value. To disable this feature, set this value to 0. Select this option to analyze the neighbors of the best cell only. De-select this option if you want to analyze the neighbor list of all of the cells meeting the other criteria. Allows you to define the maximum number of recommended neighbors. Note that the more potential neighbors you add, the longer it will take for a handset to find appropriate neighbors, conceivably resulting in a dropped call.

0.2

Minimal Samples Maximum Intersite Distance (meters)

50

5000

Only process first best ARFCN Max Neighbor List Size

Selected

32

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Setting Angle to site threshold (degrees)

Default 90

Description Defines the maximum angle between the edge of a cell's beam width and the data point, for that cell to be considered for inclusion in the serving cell's neighbor list.

In this example, the beam width is shown as a darker blue arc, and the angle to site threshold in lighter blue arcs on either side. Acceptable data points are within this threshold of the candidate sector's beam width, and are also within the Maximum Intersite Distance (the blue circle). This threshold ensures that missing neighbors are not suggested from reflected signals or back-lobes, and also that only cells angled towards the data point are suggested. To disable this feature, set this value to 0.

Once a potential neighbor list has been calculated for each data point, they are aggregated by serving cell to produce the recommended neighbor list. This is compared with the existing list to calculate which are additions, retentions and removals.

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7.10 UMTS / HSPA 3G-2G Neighbor List analysis


This lets you use scanner data to optimize neighbor lists for sites within a userdefined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) of the selected cell. Situations where the 3G network cannot carry a call due to interference or poor radio conditions - and the call needs to be carried out or completed in the 2G network - are typically caused by missing neighbors. These are cells that have not been defined in the neighbor list of the strongest cell at a given location, but which have an RxLevel good enough to be added to the UEs neighbor list as a potential cell to hand over from 3G to 2G. If the cellrefs file contains neighbor information, the analysis examines the relationship between the existing neighbors and the potential neighbors as seen by the scanner, and generates add, remove and retain recommendations for each site and cell. You can export the suggestions made by the analysis directly to a CSV file for easy import and to update the switch directly.

7.10.1 Before you start


You will need to have loaded the following:

A UMTS scanner stream that relates to a single UMTS frequency. Increasingly, UMTS scanners are able to scan several frequencies (identified by the UARFCN) simultaneously. A GSM scanner or handset stream that was logged at the same time. If a handset stream is used, it must have been logged in idle mode. These must have been loaded using a suitable matching cellrefs file, which must contain a field called GSMNeighborList on the WCDMA_Cell network element.

7.10.2 Using the neighbor list analysis


1 To start this analysis, from the Summary Dashboard page, click on the Radio Network Explorer button and click on this tab, or click on an appropriate Issue in the left-hand Issues panel:

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If you have not done so before, check the data settings that control the neighbor list analysis algorithm. In this example, we will be interested in the Minimum Sample Count and the Addition Threshold. If you alter a data setting, the analysis will immediately update.

Sort the top table by the Add column. You can now see the sector with the highest number of recommended additions to its neighbor list. Check that the Server Count column shows an acceptable value (you can also define a cutoff threshold using the Minimum Sample Count as shown above).

Click on the top row in the table to show information for that sector.

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The map now shows lines to the recommended additions (there are many additions in this example as the cellrefs file does not contain any 3G-2G neighbor definitions - therefore there are also no retentions or removals suggested). The thickness of each line shows how well the suggestion meets the criteria of the analysis. The circle represents the user-defined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. The map also displays the data points used in the analysis. The side panel on the left shows each recommendation for a sector individually, sorted by the % of data points that meet the recommendation algorithm. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points. 5 Examine each suggested additional neighbor. If you accept all suggestions for a sector, you can click the related button in the table to mark your choice. Note that the number beside the button changes to match your selection. For example, if there were 51 suggested additions in the first row, with none currently selected for export, the number would show 0/51. If you clicked the button, the number would read 51/51. If you do not want to select every recommendation for a sector, you can use the table in the side panel on the left. So if you selected 13 additions, this would result in the number reading 13/51. This can be useful if, as in this example, there are a large number of recommendations and you need to keep track of how many you have already selected.

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You may have reasons for refusing to accept the suggestion on geographical grounds (for example, existing cells between the sector and the suggested addition), or for reasons related to the data settings. Also, you may know that one or more sites will be going off-air and should not be selected. Another problem that arises from this example (due to no 3G2G neighbor data in the cellrefs file) is the sheer number of suggested additions: 51, compared with the maximum permitted number of 32. Note that the more potential neighbors you add, the longer it will take for a handset to find appropriate neighbors, conceivably resulting in a dropped call. You may well have an upper limit already defined by your internal guidelines. 6 If you disagree with a suggested addition, you may want to use the SC Search feature to find an alternative sector to add to the neighbor list. Note that in this case you will not be able to output your choice, and will need to make the correction to the switch manually (for example, by editing the CSV file). Repeat this process for each row in the top table, as necessary. You could now go through the same process for the 'Removals' column (this example contains no 'removals' suggestions). Note that by default the map does not show lines for removal recommendations. Once you are satisfied with the recommendations that you have selected, you can output them to a CSV file. From the top of the page, click the Export data link.

7 8

7.10.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows add, removal and retention neighbor recommendations for every site, together with related site information. Clicking on a row in this table displays neighbor information for the selected cell in the side panel, and draw lines to neighbors on the map. The box beside each recommendation type shows which color it will be drawn in on the map click on the check box to show or hide that particular recommendation type (by default, Removals are not shown). Map - When you click a row in the table or a site on the map, lines to neighbors are drawn from that site. The circle represents the user-defined radius (Maximum Intersite Distance) used by the analysis to identify potential neighbors. The map also shows the data points used in the analysis. Side Panel - Shows details of the neighbor recommendations. Check boxes next to a recommendation can be selected for export to a CSV file. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages. Events Lists the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list.
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Export data Select this link to export neighbor recommendations to a CSV file. Find SC Visualize an SC on the map. Specify an SC and this feature colors red all the sites using this SC. Data Settings This link opens up a dialog box for configuring the algorithm that Spotlight uses for the missing neighbor analysis, which can be used to build lists of suggested neighbor cells to add and remove. All of the options take effect immediately after you click OK. See below for more information. Scanner Frequency The results can be filtered by carrier.

7.10.4 Data settings for this page


Setting UMTS Threshold Type EcIo Threshold (dBm) RSCP Threshold (dBm) GSM Neighbor Threshold (dBm) Minimal Sample Count Maximum Intersite Distance (meters) 0 Default Description Depending on which measurement your network uses for determining when to hand over, select EcIo, RSCP, EcIo or RSCP, or EcIo and RSCP. A neighboring cell must have an EcIo of less than or equal to this value to be included on the potential neighbor list. A neighboring cell must have an RSCP of less than or equal to this value to be included on the potential neighbor list. If a potential neighbor has passed the UMTS threshold criteria described above, now the potential neighbor must have a measured BSIC greater than or equal to this value to be included on the potential neighbor list. Only sectors which have been measured above the Ec/Io Threshold at least this many times will be included in the analysis. Note that the algorithm works off Binned data. Defines the maximum line-of-sight distance in meters between two cells for one to be considered for inclusion on the other's neighbor list. For rural areas where the average intersite distance is naturally greater than a dense urban environment, use a higher value. To disable this feature, set this value to 0. Defines the percentage of samples that must be reached to trigger a cell being added as a suggested neighbor, where the percentage is: 100 * (No. of samples where cell X is the serving cell to Y) / (Total no. of samples where X is the serving cell) where the thresholds relate to whether Y should be added (or removed, see below) from Xs neighbor list. This is used to reduce the effect of stray signals.

-100

-95

50

5000

Addition Threshold (%)

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Setting Removal Threshold (%)

Default 0.2

Description Defines the minimum percentage of samples that cells in the current neighbor list must achieve in order to be recommended for retention in the list. When the percentages of samples fall below this threshold, cells will be recommended for removal from the list. Select this option to analyze the neighbors of the best cell only. De-select this option if you want to analyze the neighbor list of all of the cells meeting the other criteria. Allows you to define the maximum number of recommended neighbors. Note that the more potential neighbors you add, the longer it will take for a handset to find appropriate neighbors, conceivably resulting in a dropped call. Defines the maximum angle between the edge of a cell's beam width and the data point, for that cell to be considered for inclusion in the serving cell's neighbor list.

Only process first best SC Max Neighbor List Size

Selected

32

Angle to site threshold (degrees)

90

In this example, the beam width is shown as a darker blue arc, and the angle to site threshold in lighter blue arcs on either side. Acceptable data points are within this threshold of the candidate sector's beam width, and are also within the Maximum Intersite Distance (the blue circle). This threshold ensures that missing neighbors are not suggested from reflected signals or back-lobes, and also that only cells angled towards the data point are suggested. To disable this feature, set this value to 0. Once a potential neighbor list has been calculated for each data point, they are aggregated by serving cell to produce the recommended neighbor list. This is compared with the existing list to calculate which are additions, retentions and removals.

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7.11 UMTS / HSPA Cell Coverage analysis


You can use this analysis to:

Determine the coverage footprint for each cell. Quickly visualize where a cell is the best server, by selecting a cell. Visually determine where cells are overshooting their coverage design boundary (defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold).

7.11.1 Before you start


You can use scanner or handset data for this analysis.

7.11.2 Example using handset data


The Summary Dashboard shows an Important Issue relating to Poor Coverage. Hovering over the link shows the thresholds used to identify this issue.

Note that these thresholds have already been applied to the loaded data, and changing the thresholds at this point will have no effect on the analysis. 10 From the Summary Dashboard, click on an appropriate issue link or the Radio Explorer icon to open the Cell Coverage analysis page. 11 The Issues panel showed a high percentage of System Interference issues, so examine the top table of the analysis for indications of poorly performing cells. Note that several rows have a low sample count and so are unreliable to use in this investigation.

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12 To remove rows with low sample counts, apply a Filter with a threshold of, say, 50 counts. Click Add Filter and OK.

13 Sort by Ave EcIo by clicking on the column heading. 14 Color the cells by EcIo by clicking on the icon beside the column heading. Select the top sector row.

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15 Looking at the map, note that there are some samples with poor EcIo despite being very close to the problem sector.

Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points. 16 So what other cells are interfering to cause this situation? Experiment with plotting various Events and Attributes - plotting the Uu_ActiveSet_Count attribute shows that there is only one clear server, Site 8130 Sector B. This may indicate a missing neighbor.

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17 Click on the 3G Neighbor List tab. Note that the map and table keep the focus on the selected cell.

Here we can see that there is a suggested addition to the neighbor list, so exporting and using that new neighbor should solve the problem. See the 3G Neighbor List analysis for more information.
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7.11.3 Example using scanner data


The Summary Dashboard shows an Important Issue where a large percentage of data points were identified as being outside the beamwidth of the serving cell.

1 2 3 4

Click on the issue link to open the Cell Coverage analysis page. Filter out any rows with low sample counts, as described in the previous example. As the problem concerns data points outside the serving cell beamwidth, sort by >180 Beam by clicking on the column heading. Color the map cells by >180 Beam by clicking on the icon next to the column heading. Note that the top two sectors are in the same site. Select the top sector row.

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6 7

Ensure that in the top panel, you select the Analysis 'Scanner - Where Seen'. Looking at the map, note that the samples seen for the selected sector appear in the beam of the other offending sector. Select the other sector from the table or the map to confirm that this is a crossfeeder situation.

7.11.4 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Shows a table of summary information. The table contains the following information: Scanner # - Number of samples. Ensure that you are looking at a statistically sensible number of samples. > Dist. - Number of samples greater than the coverage design boundary (defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold). EcNo, RSCP (Max, Min, Ave). > Beam. Percentage of points outside the cell beamwidth. >180 Beam. Percentage of points outside an imaginary beamwidth of 180 degrees. Handset # - Number of samples. Ensure that you are looking at a statistically sensible number of samples. > Dist. - Number of samples greater than the coverage design boundary (defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold). EcNo, RSCP (Max, Min, Ave). Link Diff. This is the difference between UL and DL pathloss and is used to highlight cell with possible LNA (TMA) issues, if the difference is greater the 8 dB.
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Downlink Interference factor. System interference % Limited coverage % Poor UL & DL % Clicking on a row in this table causes the side panel to display more information about the site. The map zooms to the site and displays its coverage.

Map - When you click a row in the top table or on a site on the map, the map shows the coverage wedge for the selected cell, EcIo & RSCP. The red circle represents the user-configured coverage design boundary, and data points outside this circle represent overspill. Side Panel - Displays various KPI values for the site selected and a histogram of the distances at which the cell was measured. A red line indicates the maximum range for the analysis, as defined by SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold. Analysis Select Scanner (Best Server/Where Seen) or Handset (Best Server/Where Seen) analysis. The page can operate in two modes: Best Server and Where Seen. Changing the mode affects the Ec/Io attribute that is displayed on the map. Best Server mode shows the Ec/Io when the selected cell was the best server. The Where Seen mode shows the Ec/Io whenever the cell was measured; coverage footprints can only be seen for those cells that were best servers at least once during the drive. Note that in multi-carrier environments, you can perform analyses from the perspective of one carrier.

SC Search Visualize a SC on the map. Input a SC to visualize on the map and this feature would color red all the sites with this SC. This quickly identifies co-SC locations. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Events Lists the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes that can be plotted on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages.

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7.12 UMTS / HSPA Cell Pilot Pollution analysis


This lets you quickly identify pilot pollution in the inbound (how the selected sector is being polluted by other sectors) and outbound (how the selected sector is polluting other sectors) directions, and view the offending sectors on the map. You can determine the relative degree of pollution for each cell and prioritize which cells in the network are strong candidates for downtilts and coverage optimization. You can also select single or multiple events to see lines to the sectors contributing to the pollution.

7.12.1 Before you start


You can use scanner or handset data for this analysis.

7.12.2 Example using scanner data


1 To start this analysis, from the Summary Dashboard, click on an appropriate Issue in the left-hand Issues panel, such as Too Many Servers (a pilot pollution issue). Alternatively, click on the Radio Network Explorer button and click on the Cell Pilot Pollution tab.

Sort the top table by Outbound Cells and click on the top row.

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In this example, as the selected sector 55662 looks like the best candidate for investigation as it has a high number of Too Many Servers events, and Outbound and Inbound Cell polluters. 3 De-select the Inbound Cells box to hide the inbound polluting lines. The map now highlights the selected sector. Outbound pollution lines are drawn in red from the selected sector to the sectors being polluted. The arrow on each line points from the polluting sector to the polluted sector. The thickness of the lines indicates the degree to which pilot pollution was detected for the selected sector, based on the loaded data. Inbound pilot pollution lines are drawn in blue. Rolling over the lines with the cursor displays more detailed information (see the example below).

The map also shows the Too Many Server events. Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map (for example, by using the Events drop-down menu) will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so events might not align with the data points. 4 The inbound polluters are shown by blue lines, and that you can hide or show these polluting lines by clearing or checking the related box in the top table. De-select Outbound Cells and select Inbound Cells. On the map, to show lines to cells, drag a box around the area with a cluster of Too Many Server events.

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There is no clear dominator in this area, and a few polluting cells are some distance away, so you would need to improve the coverage in that area. In the image below, the EcIo values have been plotted on the map to confirm the situation near the Too Many Server events.

At this point you could use the Cell Coverage tab to see the best way to improve the coverage for the selected sector. 6 To see how the selected sector is polluting other sectors, from the top table, de-select Inbound Cells and select Outbound Cells.

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The selected sector is causing pollution at quite a distance, past much closer sectors. This confirms that the selected sector may need some downtilt to avoid causing the pollution and to increase nearby coverage. Use the Cell Coverage tab to see how best to improve the coverage for the selected sector.

7.12.3 Features of this analysis page

Top Panel - Summary information is displayed in the top panel. It includes in a tabular form the number of pilot pollution events for each site and the total number of inbound/outbound polluters. Clicking on a row in this table causes pilot pollution information for the selected cell to be displayed in the side panel, and lines to polluters to be drawn on the map. Map - Click a row in the top panel or a site on the map, to draw lines to inbound as well as outbound pollution from that site. All the pilot pollution events involving the site are also plotted on the map. The lines to polluters have a direction arrow suggesting inbound or outbound pollution. Side Panel - Shows details of the inbound and outbound pollution for the selected site. Filters Select this link to specify filters for the table on the top panel. Attributes Lists the most commonly used attributes. Select one or more to plot on the map. Currently plotted attributes are shown in red in the

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list. The currently selected attributes will be kept as you move between Spotlight's analysis pages.

Events Lists event attributes. Select one or more to plot on the map. So, while looking at pilot pollution, you could plot the UMTS Dropped Call event on the map and quickly see if the call dropped due to pilot pollution. Currently plotted events are shown in red in the list. Analysis Select Scanner or Handset analysis. SC Search Visualize a SC on the map. Input a SC to color red all the sites with this SC, so you can quickly identify co-SC locations.

7.13 About the Interference factor (F factor)


With CDMA technology, interference is a critical factor because communication occurs on the same frequency band and time slot, such as in UMTS FDD mode, and therefore interference is directly linked to the coverage and capacity of such a network. So, understanding the relationship between coverage and capacity and how it is affected by interference and transmit poweris essential for UMTS network planning, whether you are looking at a totally new network or a secondgeneration network that is migrating to 3G. One important source of interference in a WCDMA network comes from the signals transmitted by surrounding cells (inter-cell interference). A satisfactory Eb/N0 value is of paramount importance in maintaining a satisfactory quality of service (measured using Frame Erasure Rate or Block Error Rate). As a result, the interference level is directly related to the user density in the considered cell and neighbors, and affects both the cell range and capacity of the system. The more users in the system, the higher the interference and the smaller the cell range. This is represented by the F factor, defined as Home cell noise/Total noise. The F factor can also indicate pilot pollutioncoverage quality will suffer from an increased load as the F factor increases. The F factor can be calculated from measurements as follows: CPICH Ec/Io = CPICH RSCP UE RSSI UE RSSI = Nt + Is + Io where: Nt = thermal noise of the UE (-100 dBm) Is = Interference (received power fraction) coming from same cell Io = Interference (received power fraction) coming from other cell We know that in an unloaded network, Is = 2 x CPICH RSCP So the F factor, Io / Is, can be written as: F = Io / Is = ( UE RSSI Nt (2 x CPICH RSCP)) / (2 x CPICH RSCP) 2 x RSCP is also measured RSCP + 3dB. Of course all additions and subtractions should be done linearly (first convert from dB to Watts). Note that the formula is only valid for unloaded networks that do not experience much fading.

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A good value for the F factor is below 3 (or 4) over 95% of the cell area. If a cell has a higher value, the capacity of this cell will be impacted, and even more so when the network becomes loaded. Note When examining drive data, the F-Factor is very dependent on the route, because at the edge of cells the F-factor will naturally be higher.

7.13.1 Example 1 - Low 'F' factor


In the example below, most of the DL interference (F-factor) is below 5 across most of the drive.

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7.13.2 Example 2 - High 'F' factor


In the example below, there are areas where the DL interference is high, even with a cell site in the area (for example - middle bottom). The region could suffer from capacity issues as the network usage increases. Thus, the region needs some optimization, in the form of downtilts, azimuth changes, or new sites.

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8 Using the Event Explorer


8.1 About the Event Explorer
The Event Explorer provides a detailed analysis of critical failure events. You could arrive at this page from the Summary Dashboard as a result of clicking on an appropriate Issue or on the Event Explorer icon.

8.1.1 Worked example investigating dropped calls


In this case, we have chosen to analyze call drops and so all the dropped call events appear on the map. The cell wedges are color coded to represent dropped call numbers. The side panel lists all the critical events occurring in the drive. When using this page, you can work from the data in the top table or from the diagnostics panel on the left. The table in the top panel has a row for each site and lists the failure rates for that site. Note that the table shows a set of KPIs that correspond to the current Category (selected from a drop down menu above the top table this prevents the table from becoming cluttered by only showing a small set of related KPIs at the same time).

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Selecting the heading sorts the table by that KPI. The symbol beside the top table heading indicates the additional effect of selection:

Selecting a heading with an on the map.

icon allows you to visualize the KPIs and events

Selecting a heading with an icon allows you to visualize the KPIs and events on the map and also displays the diagnostics on the left panel. If the top table shows high values for a particular problem KPI, check the top left hand box to enable the selection boxes for each row. Then check each row with high problem KPIs. The side panel is now filtered to show the events appearing for only the selected site/sector rows. If there are many rows in the table, you might want to sort by the Diagnostics column to see the diagnostic types grouped alphabetically.

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In this example, EcIo has been selected from the Attributes menu at the top and displayed on the map. There are some poor values surrounding the dropped call event, which is expected for a handover problem. Plotting pilot pollution events may also help you to understand the situation here.

Note that drive test data is binned according to the selections made in step 4 of defining the project template. However, any events displayed on the map will use the exact position rather than a binned position, so they may not necessarily align with the data points. Drilldown allows you to view selected data related to the event on the Drilldown page, which shows a range of analysis views appropriate to the type of diagnosis. For more information, see the section on Drilldown on p112.

8.1.2 Features of this analysis page

Filters The table on the top panel can be filtered by adding filters through this dialog Attributes drop-down menu List of attributes that are most useful in analyzing drive data. For example, for UMTS data you could select Uu_ActiveSet_EcNo. From the map, you could see if EcNo is higher around a dropped call, which would suggest that the call quality was degrading immediately before the event. See the Attribute / Event Help (available from the Help menu) for more information. Events drop-down menu List of the event attributes that can be plotted on the map. See the Attribute / Event Help (available from the Help menu) for more information.

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Detailed event diagnostics - The left hand side panel provides a diagnosis for the failure event, consisting of these sections: Causes Shows possible causes for the event Further Explanation Provides details on the causes for the event Further Analysis Suggests how to proceed with further analysis Measurement Information - Provides RF measurement data around the event

8.2 Data Service Analysis


You can use this analysis to examine the data service performance of your network. Typically this will be for an HSPA network, probably working in conjunction with some legacy UMTS or GPRS areas. Make sure that you set the Data Service Analysis thresholds to suit your requirements before loading the data. To set the thresholds, from the top menu select Tools > Display Thresholds and go to the Data Service Analysis section. The screenshot below shows the Data Service Analysis Summary page.

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The Issues panel reports on the following issues:

Task Failure Rate. Task is used to refer to any data upload or download; for example, an FTP put or get, browsing a web page or a ping test. Percentage of FTP upload or download tasks below the absolute threshold value. Percentage of FTP upload or download tasks below the composite threshold value (consisting of the composite threshold value for each technology involved in the logged data). As an example of how the composite threshold value is calculated, consider a data download Task where the UE spends 80% of the time in Cell_DCH and 20% in HSPA. The composite throughput threshold is: (80% x ApplicationLowTput_UMTS_DL_Threshold) + (20% x Application_LowTput_HSDPA_DL_Threshold)

For more information on the thresholds used to identify these issues, see Appendix D: Data Service Analysis thresholds. Clicking on an Issue link takes you to the Event Explorer page for Data Service Analysis:

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Here is an example of a drilldown into upload data, showing the HSUPA Radio Chart from the drilldown analysis:

HSUPA Radio Chart

In the first half of the Task, there are two main obvious causes for low throughput:

Many spikes of high NACK rate Many radio drops

In the second half of the Task, we can see a correlation between higher SGI and higher throughput (labeled 1 in the screenshot).

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Here is an example of a drilldown into download data, showing the HSDPA Radio Chart from the drilldown analysis:

HSDPA Radio Chart

Examining this HSPA call leads to three routes for improving the radio network performances (labeled in the above screenshot): 1 Low UE frame usage The throughput (the blue line at the top) clearly matches the UE frame usage (the histogram near the bottom). Extended periods of low UE frame usage could indicate that the HSPA network is congested in this area. The possible causes and corresponding actions would be:

Low radio bandwidth deploy an additional frequency here; if the radio resources are sufficient you may need to balance the load properly between the sectors.

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The Iub link capacity cannot support the user traffic add more Iub capacity for this Node B.

2 Low throughput at HSPA cell change HSPA cell changes seem to be responsible for a high degradation in CQI and a low UE frame usage. The possible improvements would be:

Change the HSPA cell change criteria in the RNC to speed up HSPA cell changes. Avoid ping pong between cells.

3 Spikes of low throughput In this example, we see regular spikes of low throughput. The possible causes would be:

The Scheduler in the Node B periodically reduces the scheduling for this UE in order to average out the throughput between users. The data buffer for the UE in the Node B empties periodically, because the data gets transferred on the air interface faster than the Node B gets data from the RNC. The reason could be a data buffer dimensioning issue somewhere in the data transmission chain, or an Iub capacity issue.

8.3 Drill Down from the Event Explorer


All Spotlight analyses in the Event Explorer and Radio Network Explorer pages use data from the project database. If you want to drill down further to investigate at the message level, on the bottom side panel, click on the check box next to an event to drill down further.

8.3.1 Why use drilldown?

Initially you will want to be reassured that the Spotlight diagnosis is correct. As you become familiar with Spotlights event diagnostics, other reasons to use drilldown may be that you may have some engineering knowledge or familiarity with the locality that leads you to suspect that the diagnosis may not be considering these factors.

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8.3.2 Specifying a drilldown window


Check the Drill Down box for one or more events. In this example on the right, there is only one dropped call event and that has been selected, although in practice it is more efficient to select multiple calls for the drilldown analysis. The Drilldown controls let you specify the amount of data you want to load from the related data file and display on the Drilldown page. A simple method is to check the Load Entire File box to load the whole file containing the event for further analysis. This may take a long time for a large file. If you leave Load Entire File blank, you can specify a window of time around the event using the Before Window and After Window fields. Spotlight will only load data for that time window. This is faster than loading the entire file. Note If you do not define a large-enough drilldown window, the window might not include the appropriate messages that trigger the event. The technology of the loaded data determines how the drilldown window actually operates:

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Once you have input the Before Window and After Window values, click on Begin Drilldown. This will take you to the detailed Drilldown page.

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8.3.3 The Drilldown page


In this example, we are examining a series of dropped call events. The table on the left shows a row for each Dropped Call event selected for further drilldown, together with a diagnosis of the cause.

The top Dropped Call event has been selected for drilldown; clicking on the Begin Drilldown button starts the drilldown process and displays the drilldown page.

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The page shows several views to help you analyze the event in more detail.

Detailed Event Diagnostics are in a panel on the left, also showing the originating data file name. A map and the UMTS Event Navigator window display attributes relating to the selected event. A Protocol Stack Browser provides detailed messaging around the event.

This set of views, called a screen layout, is standard for this type of event. Each drilldown that is based on a different failure event will have its own screen layout. This particular layout provides most of the information needed to diagnose a dropped call. The UMTS Event Navigator shows the event and the serving SC. The charts give the SIR, EcNo, RSCP and Tx power information around the event. Note All the views will have data only for the time window specified in the previous step. You can access standard Analyzer views from the View menu, and also make use of the Replay control to step through the data.

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9 Performing a more detailed analysis


You may want to perform a detailed analysis of the selected data. In order to do this, you can view a list of the files loaded into the current project's repository and select which of them to load into Analyzer Classic.

9.1 Before you start


You must already have created a project and loaded files into the repository.

9.2 To load data into Analyzer Classic


1 From the Summary Dashboard's Repository Summary table, click on the Log Files link.

Click the Analyzer Classic tab to show a list of loaded files.

Check the box to the left of each file that you want to load into Analyzer Classic.
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Files that are already loaded have their boxes checked and disabled, and can be unloaded using the Unload All button (which is disabled if there are no loaded files). Note that this does not affect the project database in any way. 4 Click the Load Files button. This loads any checked files that are not already loaded. Once the load is complete, the current views are minimized and two new views are displayed: an Attribute Explorer on the left, and a new Task Window positioned in the top right corner of the available screen area, containing a single Return to Spotlight link.

5 6

Perform analyses on the data using the advanced tools available in Analyzer Classic. When you have finished using Analyzer Classic, you can click on the Return to Spotlight link, which will restore the Spotlight view. If you do not want to return to Analyzer Classic and re-examine the selected data, you can now click on the Unload All button to close files loaded into Classic. Note that this will not close any files that have been loaded into Analyzer Classic which are not listed as loaded into the project repository.

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10 Batch Sector Plot


The Batch Sector Plot function lets you export a series of images. Each image shows a particular attribute plotted in relation to a sector, where a set of selected criteria apply. This would be useful if, for instance, you require a set of images to use in a management report that shows the results from drive test data imported into Actix Spotlight. To use Batch Sector Plot 1 2 From the Spotlight Dashboard, click on the Reports link to open the Reports dialog. Now click on the Batch Sector Plot link.

This opens the Batch Sector Plot dialog.

Select the appropriate Technology. The available options will depend on the data currently loaded, but include Scanner and Handset for CDMA, GSM, UMTS, and Handset only for EVDO.

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Select the Attribute that you want to display on the output images. The available options will depend on the selected Technology. Only one attribute may be exported for each use of this function. Now select the Footprint for the cell in each output image: Where Seen the image only includes those points where the cell could be seen during the drive(s). The cell is only included if it was best server at some point in the drive(s). Where Best the image only includes those points where the cell was the best server during the drive(s).

Select how you want to Plot the results. This depends on the selected Technology; the example shown is for UMTS Scanner, and the choice is By SC or By Sector. One image will be exported for each SC, Sector or other selection that meets the other criteria entered in this dialog. If by SC (or BCCH etc.) is chosen, then all sectors on that SC (and UARFCN if defined in the cellrefs) will be exported in one image. Cells on the same SC but that were not seen during the drive will not be highlighted.

Select the Min Sample Count threshold. The number of points for the attribute must be equal to or higher than this value for an image to be exported. Each image will cover the area of the Union of the bounds of the attributes, plus the highlighted cells, plus a 4% padding. Select the Map Image Format: PNG The default map image format option, as PNG files are small yet remain clear. BMP This results in much larger graphics files, and is only recommended if you intend to use the images with Microsoft Excel. If you use Insert Object in Excel, you have the ability to link to a graphics file. Only links to BMP files will show the actual image other formats will only show an image icon. The legend for a plot is always output in BMP format regardless of this selection.

Enter the Map Image Size in pixels, where Size X is the width of the image and Size Y is the height.

10 To display the coverage wedge and overspill circle, check the Coverage Wedge box. The coverage wedge and overspill distance circle are drawn by default 11 To export the legend for each image as a separate BMP image, check the Legend box. The legend is not be exported by default. 12 Once you are satisfied with your selections, click the Generate button. Spotlight will now cycle through the sectors and create an image for each one that matches your criteria. Some sectors may appear on the screen very briefly these failed to match the selected criteria.

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The images are consecutively numbered and placed in a folder with a time-stamped name: yyyy-mm-dd-hhmm.bmp yyyy-mm-dd-hhmm.png When the batch run ends, Windows Explorer opens at that folder. Any legend BMP files are output into the same folder using the same number, so they can easily be matched to the related plot file. Some sample results are shown below:

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11 Creating a Spotlight Project Template


Spotlight project templates define which KPIs, reports and attributes are available within Spotlight, and how the data is to be stored in the repository. Configuring a project template correctly is important, because it controls not only what analysis is available, but also how the data is organized and this can affect the validity of the analysis. In addition, the way you configure the project template can affect the performance of the projects that are based on it. For example, if you include KPIs and reports that are not relevant, performance may be slower than necessary, particularly when creating the project and loading data into it, but also when subsequently closing and reloading it. Although Spotlight is based on repository technology, project templates are not the same as repository templates. When you create a project template using Spotlight's New Template option, Spotlight also generates a repository template based on the KPIs and other options that are selected. During this process, Spotlight uses a default repository template that is supplied with Spotlight. To create a Spotlight project template, start a new Spotlight project and on the Creating a New Project: Step 1 page, click New Template.

You then need to fill out options on the following pages:

Step 1: Choose Name and Starting Template Step 2: Choose Devices Step 3: Choose KPIs and Reports Step 4: Choose Attributes Step 5: Choose Global Filters

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After clicking Done on the last page, you are returned to the New Project start page, where the new template appears in the list of project templates. Note For convenience, Spotlight appends the date on which it was created to the project template's name.

11.1 Step 1: Choose Name and Starting Template


This page is the first step in creating a new Spotlight project template.

1 2

Template Name - Enter a unique name for the template. This must not contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > |. Based on Template - Select the existing project template on which you want to base your new template. Note that templates shipped with the product are shown in blue. The Master Template, which contains all available KPIs, is at the bottom of the dropdown list. Click Next to go the next page.

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11.2 Step 2: Choose Devices


The second step in creating a new Spotlight project template involves defining how you want the data to be stored. You can choose to combine all of the data (this is the default) or to separate it into silos called devices. Essentially, you should separate the data into multiple devices when combining it would be statistically invalid and the structure of the attributes and KPIs and the statistics in the reports do not provide a mechanism for separating the data.

11.2.1 How many devices do I need?


Each additional device adds a performance overhead, and so ideally, you should create the smallest number of devices that are required to separate the data in such a way that the KPIs and reports will provide statistically valid results. When determining how many devices to create, you need to consider how and why the data was logged:

The simplest scenario is when the data was logged by one handset and optionally one scanner in a single drive test unit. In this scenario, it is generally safe to combine the data from both logging devices into a single Spotlight device, because generally, the handset and scanner data is stored in different attributes and the KPIs and statistics are based on one type of attribute or another and therefore provide a means of separating the two types of data. However, you might want to separate the handset and scanner data into separate devices for convenience or clarity. Another common scenario is when data is logged by two handsets and one scanner in a single drive test unit. Typically, one handset does a succession of short (approximately 90-second) calls separated by 30 seconds of idle time. The other handset is for "long calls", in which the handset stays in call until the call drops, whereupon the dialer immediately starts a new long call. Typically, the short calls provide data for event KPIs, such as the percentage of call setups that were successful, etc., whereas the long calls provide data for measuring the radio performance. Combining the data would normally give misleading results. For example, the long call data would by definition have an almost 100% dropped call rate and so if used for event KPIs, it would skew the dropped call rate. For
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this scenario, you should therefore create separate devices for the short and long call data.

A similar scenario occurs when a single drive test unit has two devices, but one was used for voice calls and the other for data. Like scanner and handset data, generally, data logged from voice and data calls is stored in separate attributes, and KPIs and statistics are typically based on one type or the other. However, for clarity it is generally advisable to separate the data into different logical devices. This avoids any risk of combining data inappropriately and thereby creating invalid KPIs. All of the drive test scenarios that we have considered so far involve a single drive test unit (that is, one vehicle plus logging equipment). When there are multiple drive test units driving different routes on the same days, there is no reason why you should not combine data logged for the same purpose in the different drive test units. For example, it would typically be valid to combine short call data collected by different drive test units on the same days in different parts of a city or state. However, if the data was logged for different purposes (such as the short and long call data described above), you should generally separate it into different logical devices, for the reasons explained earlier. Sometimes you may want to base optimization and troubleshooting work on benchmarking data, which is data that has been collected from several different operators' networks simultaneously in order that the KPIs from the various networks can be compared. In this scenario, you would be interested in the data from your own network only. When Spotlight is to be used for this purpose, provided all of the data for that network was logged for the same purpose, you would normally store it in one device. However, you need to create a suitable filter for the device (as described below) in order to exclude all of the data from the other networks.

11.2.2 Adding a device


When you create a new project template, by default, Spotlight creates a single all-purpose device that has no filter. If you want to separate data into multiple devices, you must specify a filter for each one. The filter identifies the data streams that are to be loaded into that device. For example, suppose you define two devices, A and B. When you subsequently select data files to load into the project, data streams that match the filter for device A will be loaded into device A, data streams that match the filter for device B will be loaded into device B, and data streams that do not match either filter will not be loaded. Note that data streams that match the filter for device A and B will be loaded into both devices.

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You create a new device by clicking the Add Device button, which opens this dialog:

2 3

Device Name - This is used to identify the device wherever it is used, so try to make the name meaningful. Filter - This defines a single sequence of characters that must be present in the stream's long name in order for it to be loaded into this device. The long name is composed of the stream name preceded by the file name like this: FileName:StreamName. Import From File - You can use this button to browse to a typical log file that will be loaded into the project. When you select the file, Spotlight lists the name of every data stream that it contains. When you select a name in the list, Spotlight inserts the stream name into the Filter box above. Typically, you would then edit it in the Filter box, in order to make the filter more generally applicable. When you are ready, click Add to add the device to the project template.

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11.2.3 More on device filters


Setting up good device filters takes some thought. Typically, you would use the Import from File button on several of the log files that you want to use in the project, in order to examine the pattern of their stream names. Some stream names include the handset's identifier, such as the mobile identification number (MIN) or phone number, and sometimes you can use this as the filter. For example, suppose you are setting up a project template that will be used for troubleshooting your network's data from a benchmarking study, in which five handsets were used to log data from five different networks in one drive test unit (vehicle). If the stream names include the phone numbers, you could base the filter on the phone number of the handset that was attached to your network. However, suppose you have several drive test units logging the data and you want to combine your network data from all of the units. Using the phone numbers will not achieve this, because even if everything else is the same in each drive test unit, the phone numbers will always be different. Typically, the logging equipment has a number of slots into which the handsets are plugged. Sometimes the slots can be configured with a label (such as the name of the network), and these are generally incorporated into the stream names. If the slots in each drive test unit are given the same labels in all of the drive test units, you could base the filter on the label. Alternatively, the slots might have an identifying number, which often appears in parentheses in the stream name, such as (0), (1), etc. These are often used successfully as filters. However, for this to work correctly, the handsets for your network would need to be in the same slot in all of the drive tests units. When filtering on the stream name part of the stream, long names cannot provide the results you require - you might need to consider filtering on the file name part of the long name. If necessary, you could rename the files. For example, consider a benchmarking study, in which the data for each network is written out to different files. You could include the name or ID of the network in the log file names and then base the stream name filter on the network name or ID. If necessary, you might need to rename the files manually or using a script. This technique can be particularly useful when working with TEMS data.

Click Next to go the next page.

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11.3 Step 3: Choose KPIs and Reports


The third step in creating a new Spotlight project template involves selecting the KPIs and reports that you want to include in the project. Spotlight lists all of the KPIs and reports that are available.

For performance reasons, select only those KPIs and reports that are relevant for the tasks you plan to perform and the data you plan to load into the projects based on this template. For example, if you are planning to load only GSM voice data, deselect all of the KPIs and reports that do not relate to GSM voice calls. Click Next to go to the next page.

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11.4 Step 4: Choose Attributes


The fourth step in creating a new Spotlight project template involves selecting the attributes that you want to include in the project and defining the binning settings.

One of the attributes is highlighted in red to indicate that it has been chosen from the Attribute Picker panel.

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11.4.1 Choose Attributes


The top part of this page has three panels:

Binned Data Queries - This lists the binned data queries that relate to the KPIs and reports that you selected in Step 3. Each of these contains a number of attributes and binned queries that are used for display on the map, etc. When you select a binned data query, the attributes and binned queries it contains are listed in the central Attributes panel. You cannot remove these, because they are required for the features that are associated with the selected KPIs and reports. However, you can add additional attributes using the Attribute Picker on the right side. Typically each technology has two or more binned data queries. For example, for UMTS there are binned data queries as follows: UMTS UE BinnedData - Contains the handset attributes, and is the main query used in the Event Explorer Drill Down pages. It is also used to populate the Radio Network Cell Coverage and Cell Pilot Pollution pages when the user has selected a 'handset' Analysis. UMTS Scanner BinnedData - Contains the scanner attributes, and is used in the Radio Network Cell Coverage and Cell Pilot Pollution pages when the user has selected a 'scanner' Analysis. It is also used to populate the Radio Network Neighbor List analysis pages. UMTS UE SectorHandle BinnedData - This is a special query that is used internally. Do not add attributes to this query. UMTS Scanner SectorHandle BinnedData - This is a special query that is used internally. Do not add attributes to this query.

If you want to add additional attributes, select the appropriate binned data query to add them to. For example, if you are adding a UMTS scanner attribute, select the UMTS Scanner BinnedData query. Queries that have Sector Handle in their name are for internal use and you should not add any attributes to them.

Attributes - This lists the attributes and binned queries that are in the binned data query that is selected on the left side and any additional attributes that you have added using the Attribute Picker on the right side. The additional attributes are highlighted, indicating that you can remove them. (You do this by selecting the attribute and clicking Remove Attribute.) Attribute Picker - This is a tree view that lists all of the possible attributes. Select any attributes that you want to include. Make sure you add the attributes to the appropriate binned data query as described above. Note that array attributes are shown in the tree view as individual items, rather than expandable items. What happens when you select an array attribute depends on the internal structure of the binned data query that is selected: Generally, when you select an array attribute, Spotlight automatically adds a separate item to the list of attributes for each possible index position (provided there are less than 32 possible index positions). You can then delete any index positions that you
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do not want to use. For example, for a "Top n" attribute, you might want to delete all but the first three or four index positions. You cannot add array attributes that have 32 or more possible index positions. However, for some binned data queries (such as the GSM Scanner BinnedData query), when you select an array attribute, Spotlight adds it to the list of attributes as a single item (using the array indexer syntax) and automatically includes every index position for which there is data. Note Although Spotlight can handle a considerable number of attributes, there are limits imposed by the technologies that underlie the repository technology. These limits are documented in detail in the Repository Manager section. Note that the fast binning option detailed below creates more compact databases and avoids problems with the limit to the number of "subselects" documented in the linked topic.

11.4.2 Binning
The binning settings control how the device's binned data is stored in the repository and how it is subsequently displayed on the map and the other binned data views. Note that once the project is created, the binning settings cannot be changed. For example, changing the binning settings in the Preferences dialog does not affect data loaded into the Spotlight repository. (However, it does affect the drilldown data and any Spotlight data that you have loaded into Analyzer Classic.) Spotlight always uses the location binning mechanism, which sorts the raw data values into a geographical grid and then performs an averaging operation to produce a single value for each square in the grid (sometimes call a bin). This has the effect of smoothing the data and reducing the number of rows or data points that would otherwise be stored in the database and subsequently displayed. The averaging operation that is performed is determined by the internal attribute definition. For most attributes, a simple average operation is performed, but some use other operations, such as the mode or count. The binning options are:

Fast binning - Select this option if you want to use the fast bin aggregation method (this is recommended). This means that in bins that the drive test(s) passed through more than once, the results from the last drive will be displayed. De-select this option if you want the results from all of the drives to be aggregated together. Although this is technically more accurate, it is considerably slower, particularly when displaying data on the map. In addition when working with very large volumes of data, the increased accuracy is likely to be of limited value in practice. See Fast Bin Aggregation in the online help for more information. Units of measurement - The possible units are meters and arc seconds. You must choose the unit that matches the projection system that you are using. If the data will be displayed on vector-based maps, you can
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generally use arc seconds and the default projection system, which is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) projection system, which is used by GPS. However, if the data is to be displayed on raster maps, you should generally choose the projection system used in those maps and the correct units for that system. See Map Projections in the online help for an overview of the issues.

X and Y bin size - These define the dimensions of the squares in the geographical grid. The X axis corresponds to longitude and the Y axis to latitude. The sizes must be specified in the appropriate units for the projection system. The default sizes are 3 arc seconds and 50 meters. Note that using larger bin sizes reduces the size of the database and improves performance. For the Y axis, the approximate size in arc seconds can be calculated from a size in meters using the following formula:

Where REarth is the radius of the earth (approximately 6,400 kilometers at the equator). For example, using this formula shows that a Y axis bin size of 100 meters is approximately three arc seconds. However, the formula for converting between meters and arc seconds for the X axis is more complicated, because it depends on the radius of the earth at that latitude.

X and Y origin - By default, the starting point for the geographical grid is the false origin (0, 0) defined for the selected projection system. This has the advantage that, by default, all of the location grids are the same. However, sometimes you may want to move the start point because, for example, you want to align the grid with one used in another system. You do this by specifying an offset for either or both of the coordinates in the X origin and/or Y origin text boxes. You must specify the offset in the same units as you used to define the size of the bins (and this must correspond to the measurement system used by the projection system).

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Projection - Select the projection system that you want to use. The options in the drop-down list are the projection systems that are supported directly by Analyzer and that use the units of measurement selected above. The Default option for arc seconds corresponds to the WGS 84 projection system. There is no default option for meters, but you can use one of the ED79 UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) system options. ED79 UTM is a generic map projection system that divides the globe up into a number of zones. You need to select the appropriate zone for the area in which the data was collected. See the online help section ED79 UTM Zone Lookup for more information. Click Next to go to the next page.

11.5 Step 5: Choose Global Filters


The fifth step in creating a new Spotlight project template involves choosing whether to enable File/Stream, Time and regional filtering in the project (as well as the Device filtering enabled in Step 2). If these options are enabled, you can activate or modify them by clicking on the Global Filters link in the top right of an analysis page.

For the Regional Filters, you can choose to allow filtering by Cluster Name and Clutter Type. Note Regional filtering option is not shown in the above example. To enable filtering by region, you need to have already defined the regions, created a new Spotlight Template and on the Filtering page checked the relevant region types under Region Filters. When you click Done, you are returned to the new project page, where the new template appears in the list of project templates.
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12 Troubleshooting Spotlight
12.1 No repository detected
Spotlight was unable to find your project database. Ensure that your MS SQL service is active and try to start your project again, following these steps: 1 2 From the Windows Start menu, select Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services. In the table of services, locate the 'SQL Server (ACTIXSQLEXPRESS)' row. If the Status is 'Paused', from the toolbar, click on the Resume Service button. If the Status is blank, from the toolbar, click on the Start Service button. If the Status is 'Started', go back to Spotlight and attempt to reload your project. If you changed your license after creating the project, you will need to create a new project and reload the data.

If the service does not restart, you will need to uninstall and reinstall Actix Spotlight.

12.2 The maps in your report are empty


This is an issue cause by Microsoft Picture Manager, which associates to itself a number of image file formats. Open Picture Manager, and from the Tools menu select File Types. Ensure that the box for Windows Bitmap (.bmp) is left unchecked (that is, empty).

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13 Appendix A: Cell Site Parameters


13.1 CDMA Cell Site Parameters
Imported Parameter Site Name Site Number Latitude Longitude Sector Number Analyzer Group CDMA_Site CDMA_Site CDMA_Site CDMA_Site CDMA_Cell Analyzer Name SiteName SiteID SiteLatitude SiteLongitude Sector ID Can be 1,2,3 etc. or a combination of site numbers Azimuth Beamwidth Purpose Text description of the Site for display on map. Numeric identifier for the Site. Locates Site icons on the map. Locates Site icons on the map. Sector-specific information useful for display on maps.

Azimuth Beamwidth

CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell

Orients the sector icons on the map. Governs the shape of the sector 'wedge' on the map to reflect the beamwidth of the antenna deployed at the site. Used in CDMA Toolkit calculations, lines to neighbor cells and to color sectors/sites on maps to reflect PN planning. Base station power, used in CDMA Toolkit calculations. Mobile Country Code. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only. For information only.
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PN Offset

CDMA_Cell

PN

Base Station Power* Mobile Country Code* System Identity* Network Identity* Broadcast Identity* PctPilot* PctTraffic* PctPaging*

CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell

EIRP MCC

CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell

SID NID BID PctPilot PctTraffic PctPaging

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Imported Parameter PctSync* Active Set Search Window Setting* Neighbor Set Search Setting*

Analyzer Group CDMA_Cell CDMA_Cell

Analyzer Name PctSync SRCH_WIN_A

Purpose For information only. Used in Analyzers CDMA Toolkit calculations to compare current search window settings with those suggested by Analyzer. Used in Analyzers CDMA Toolkit calculations to compare current search window settings with those suggested by Analyzer. Used in Analyzers CDMA Toolkit calculations to compare current search window settings with those suggested by Analyzer. Used to color sectors on the map by a custom integer field. Used to color sectors on the map by a custom integer field. Used to color sectors on the map by a custom integer field. Text that specifies which cell layer (for example, by technology, band, purpose or status) that the site belongs to. Used for multiple cell layers.

CDMA_Cell

SRCH_WIN_N

List of neighbors*

CDMA_Cell

CDMANeighborList

Sector Display Wildcard* Sector Display Wildcard* Sector Display Wildcard* Layer type*

CDMA_Cell

Face_Display

CDMA_Cell

Azimuth_Display

CDMA_Cell

Phase_Display

CDMA_Cell

Layer_type

*Optional.

13.2 GSM / GPRS / EDGE Cell Site Parameters


Imported Parameter Site Name Site Number Analyzer Group GSM_Site GSM_Site Analyzer Name SiteName SiteID Purpose Text description of the Site for display on map. Numeric identifier for the Site. Used as the linking column to associate the GSM_Site and GSM_Cell rows. Locates Site icons on map. Locates Site icons on map.
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Latitude Longitude

GSM_Site GSM_Site

Latitude Longitude

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Imported Parameter Sector Number

Analyzer Group GSM_Cell

Analyzer Name SectorID Can be 1,2,3, etc, or a combination of site numbers Azimuth Beamwith

Purpose Sector-specific ID information useful for display on maps.

Azimuth Beamwidth

GSM_Cell GSM_Cell

Orients the sector icons on the map. Governs the radius of the sector 'wedge' icon to reflect the beamwidth of antenna deployed at the sector. Base Station Power. Broadcast Control Channel.

Base Station Power Broadcast Control Channel Mobile Network Code Mobile Color Code Location Area Code Cell ID value Base Station Identity Code Layer type

GSM_Cell GSM_Cell

EIRP BCCH

GSM_Cell

MNC

Mobile Network Code.

GSM_Cell GSM_Cell GSM_Cell GSM_Cell

MCC LAC CI BSIC

Mobile Color Code. Location Area Code. Cell ID value. Base Station Identity Code, comprising of a concatenation of the NCC and BCC values. Text that specifies which cell layer (for example, by technology, band, purpose or status) that the site belongs to. Used for multiple cell layers.

GSM_Cell

Layer_type

13.3 LTE Cell Site Parameters


Imported Parameter Site Name Site Number Latitude Analyzer Group LTE_Site LTE_Site LTE_Site Analyzer Name Site_Name SiteID Latitude Purpose Text description of the Site for display on map. Numeric identifier for the site. Locates site icons on map.

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Imported Parameter Longitude Sector Number Azimuth Beamwidth

Analyzer Group LTE_Site LTE_Cell

Analyzer Name Longitude Sector_ID

Purpose Locates site icons on map. Sector-specific information useful for display on maps (can be alpha or numeric) Orients the sector icons on the map. Governs the shape of the sector wedge icon to reflect the beamwidth of antenna deployed at the site. Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power for informational purposes only. The downlink EARFCN of the cell. The fields DL_EARFCN and PCI must be present to calculate lines to cells. The physical layer cell identity (previously named L1_CID). The fields DL_EARFCN and PCI must be present to calculate lines to cells. Mobile Country Code for informational purposes only. National Domain Code for informational purposes only.

LTE_Cell LTE_Cell

Azimuth Beamwidth

EIRP*

LTE_Cell

EIRP

Downlink EARFCN

LTE_Cell

DL_EARFCN

Layer1 Cell Identity

LTE_Cell

PCI

MCC* MNC* * Optional.

LTE_Cell LTE_Cell

MCC MNC

13.4 UMTS / HSPA+ Cell Site Parameters


Imported Parameter Site Name Site Number Latitude Longitude Sector Number Analyzer Group UMTS_Site UMTS_Site UMTS_Site UMTS_Site UMTS_Cell Analyzer Name SiteName SiteID Latitude Longitude Sector_ID Purpose Text description of the Site for display on map. Numeric identifier for the site. Locates site icons on map. Locates site icons on map. Sector-specific information useful for display on maps (can be alpha or numeric)

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Imported Parameter Azimuth Beamwidth

Analyzer Group UMTS_Cell UMTS_Cell

Analyzer Name Azimuth Beamwidth

Purpose Orients the sector icons on the map. Governs the shape of the sector wedge icon to reflect the beamwidth of antenna deployed at the site. Used for cell site identification and to calculate lines to cells. Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power for informational purposes only. Mobile Country Code for informational purposes only. National Domain Code for informational purposes only. Location Area Code for informational purposes only. Cell Identity for informational purposes only. Used to define a pre-defined neighbor list for each cell. Used during neighbor list recommendations analysis. Configurable text field that specifies which cell layer (for example, by technology, band or status) the site belongs to. Used for multiple cell layers.

SC EIRP*

UMTS_Cell UMTS_Cell

SC EIRP

MCC* MNC* LAC* CI* Neighbor List*

UMTS_Cell UMTS_Cell UMTS_Cell UMTS_Cell UMTS_Cell

MCC MNC LAC CI WCDMANeighborList

Layer Type*

UMTS_Cell

LayerType

* Optional.

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14 Appendix B: Spotlight reports


14.1 CDMA Spotlight Report
This report provides information on unfiltered CDMA data within the current project database. This is a good place to start using Spotlight, as the report indicates which thresholds have been passed and which have failed. Related tables provide additional information to let you decide where to go to follow up any problems.

14.1.1 Report tab


This tab provides summary information on the loaded data.

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14.1.2 Radio Link tab


This tab provides tables showing radio link information.

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14.1.3 Map tab


This tab provides maps for dropped calls, failed calls and forward FER.

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14.2 EVDO Spotlight Report


This report provides information on unfiltered EVDO data within the current project database. This is a good place to start using Spotlight, as the report indicates which thresholds have been passed and which have failed. Related tables provide additional information to let you decide where to go to follow up any problems.

14.2.1 Report tab

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14.2.2 Map tab

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14.2.3 Air Interface Quality Analysis tab

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14.2.4 DL/UL Throughput Metrics tab

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14.3 EVDO Rev A Spotlight Report


This report provides information on unfiltered EVDO Rev A data within the current project database. This is a good place to start using Spotlight, as the report indicates which thresholds have been passed and which have failed. Related tables provide additional information so you can decide how to follow up any problems.

14.3.1 Overview Map

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14.3.2 Main

14.3.3 Connection Details

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14.3.4 RF

14.3.5 Throughputs

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14.3.6 Per Flow Throughputs

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14.4 GSM Spotlight Report


This report provides information on unfiltered GSM data within the current project database. This is a good place to start using Spotlight, as the report indicates which thresholds have been passed and which have failed. Related tables provide additional information to let you decide where to go to follow up any problems.

14.4.1 Report

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14.4.2 File Overview

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14.4.3 Overview Map

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14.4.4 Radio

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14.4.5 CD Domain

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14.5 HSPA Spotlight Report


This report provides information on unfiltered HSPA data within the current project database. This is a good place to start using Spotlight, as the report indicates which thresholds have been passed and which have failed. Related tables provide additional information to let you decide where to go to follow up any problems.

14.5.1 Report

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14.5.2 Overview Map

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14.5.3 Radio

The PDF and CDF of ALL the actual CQI samples present in the logs are provided. In addition, the tables report the following statistics for CQI:

Mean

Mode
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Median Maximum Minimum

Total # samples 95% Percentile

The HARQ statistics section shows the distribution between ACK, NACK and DTX samples of all the HARQ processes recorded. Details per call can be accessed at the bottom of the page by clicking on the link below the table.

14.5.4 HS mobility

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14.5.5 Channel Usage

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14.6 UMTS Spotlight Report


This report provides information on unfiltered UMTS data within the current project database. This is a good place to start using Spotlight, as the report indicates which thresholds have been passed and which have failed. Related tables provide additional information to let you decide where to go to follow up any problems.

14.6.1 Report

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14.6.2 Overview

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14.6.3 Overview Map

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14.6.4 Radio

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14.6.5 CS Domain and PS Domain

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15 Appendix C: CDMA thresholds, KPIs and diagnoses


15.1 CDMA thresholds
You can modify threshold values for event detection using the Tools, Display Thresholds command. It is important to set your threshold before loading the data because it will affect the analysis, diagnosis and display of data in Spotlight. To modify the value, simply click on the associated number and type in the new value.

15.1.1 Spotlight Thresholds


15.1.1.1 SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold

This threshold is used, if there is no Max_ServerDist information in the cellref and indicates the maximum serving distance (in meters) a cell should serve. Default is 5000m.

15.1.2 CDMA / Coverage


15.1.2.1 CDMA_AvgForwardFER

This threshold is used for diagnosing areas of poor quality. Recommended value is 2. 15.1.2.2 CDMA_EcIoCombinedThreshold

This threshold is used in conjunction with Mobile Rx Power and Mobile Tx Power Thresholds to determine the diagnosis for the dropped call, failed call and voice call with poor quality. Recommended value is -12 dB. Values should vary between -16 and -12 dB. 15.1.2.3 CDMA_ImportantIssue_ExcessInterference

This threshold is used for filtering out files that have percentage of excess interference cases less than the threshold. Recommended value is 2. 15.1.2.4 CDMA_ImportantIssue_ExternalInterference

This threshold is used to filter out the display of data in the CDMA Dashboard that have percentage of bad EcIo, high Tx, good Rx problems cases less than the threshold. Recommended value is 2. 15.1.2.5 CDMA_ImportantIssue_FwdLinkProblem

This threshold is used to filter out the display of data in the CDMA Dashboard that have percentage of forward link problems cases less than the threshold. Recommended value is 2.

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15.1.2.6

CDMA_ImportantIssue_LowRX

This threshold is used to filter out the display of data in the CDMA Dashboard that have percentage of low rx problems cases less than the threshold. Recommended value is 2. 15.1.2.7 CDMA_ImportantIssue_PoorCoverage

This threshold is used for filtering out files that have percentage of poor coverage cases less than the threshold. Recommended value is 2. 15.1.2.8 CDMA_ImportantIssue_PoorQuality

This threshold is used to filter out the display of data in the CDMA Dashboard that have percentage of calls with poor quality cases less than the threshold. Recommended value is 2. 15.1.2.9 CDMA_ImportantIssue_RevLinkProblem

This threshold is used to filter out the display of data in the CDMA Dashboard that have percentage of rev link problems cases less than the threshold. Recommended value is 2. 15.1.2.10 CDMA_MobileRxPowerThreshold This threshold is used in conjunction with EcIo and Mobile Tx Power Thresholds to determine the diagnosis for the dropped call, failed call and voice call with poor quality. Recommended value is -80 dBm. Values should vary between -75 and 90 dBm. 15.1.2.11 CDMA_MobileTxPowerMinFilterThreshold This threshold is used in conjunction with Mobile Tx Power Max Threshold to filter out messages when the transmitter is disabled due to high FFER. Default is -30. 15.1.2.12 CDMA_MobileTxPowerMaxFilterThreshold This threshold is used in conjunction with Mobile Tx Power Min Threshold to filter out messages when the transmitter is disabled due to high FFER. Default is 23. 15.1.2.13 CDMA_MobileTxPowerThreshold This threshold is used in conjunction with EcIo and Mobile Rx Power Thresholds to determine the diagnosis for the dropped call, failed call and voice call with poor quality. Recommended value is 5 dBm. Values should lie between 0 and 10 dBm. 15.1.2.14 CDMA_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold This is the absolute number of pilots (with Ec/Ios above CDMA_PilotPollutionThreshold) required to trigger a pilot pollution event. The recommended value is 3 and values should lie between 2 and 4. 15.1.2.15 CDMA_PilotPollutionThreshold This threshold alerts the user of pilot pollution when the signal level falls below this threshold. Recommended value is -14 dB. Values should lie between -10 and -18 dB.

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15.1.3 CDMA / Events


15.1.3.1 EVT_CDMAImportantIssue

1 = Turns on the CDMA Important Issue Detect event diagram for CDMA Troubleshooter; 0 = CDMA Important Issue analysis is turned off to improve file load speeds. Default is 0. 15.1.3.2 EVT_CDMANeighborListIssueDetect

1 = Turns on the CDMA Neighbor List Issue Detect event diagram for CDMA Troubleshooter; 0= CDMA Neighbor List Issue Detect analysis is turned off. Default is 0. 15.1.3.3 EVT_CDMAServerKey

1 = Turns on the CDMA Server Key event diagram for CDMA Troubleshooter; 0 = CDMA Server Key analysis is turned off to improve file load speeds. Default is 0. 15.1.3.4 UniqueNeighborList

1 = Turns on the unique neighbor list analysis for CDMA, EVDO Troubleshooter; 0 = unique neighbor list analysis is turned off to improve file load speeds. Default is 0.

15.1.4 CDMA / Other


15.1.4.1 CDMA_EcIoInterferenceThreshold

Recommended value is -15 dBm. The maximum should not be higher than 0 and minimum should not be lower than -25 dBm. 15.1.4.2 CDMA_EVDO_TooManyActivePNsThreshold

In calculating "Too Many Servers", when 4 or more pilots (including the best server) are within the threshold value in dB of the best server, it creates a "too many server" event. Recommended value is 5 dB and the minimum and the maximum should be around 1 and 10 dB. 15.1.4.3 CDMA_TooManyActivePNsThreshold

In calculating "Too Many Servers", when 4 or more pilots (including the best server) are within the threshold value in dB of the best server, it creates a "too many server" event. Recommended value is 5 dB and the minimum and the maximum should be around 1 and 10 dB.

15.1.5 CDMA / Performance


15.1.5.1 CDMA_CallDropRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the Repository views. The Call Drop Rate should not exceed 2% of all successful calls in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal or less than this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is higher than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table. The default value is 2%.

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15.1.5.2

CDMA_CallSetupSuccessRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the Repository views. The Call Setup Success Rate should be in excess of 98% for most GSM networks in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal or in excess to this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is less than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table. The default value is 98%. 15.1.5.3 CDMA_CallSetupTime

This threshold is used for determining calls with excessive setup time. Recommended value is 2000 ms. 15.1.5.4 CDMA_OverAllSuccessRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the Repository views. The Overall Success Rate should be in excess of 98% for most GSM networks in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal or in excess to this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is less than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table. The default value is 98%.

15.2 CDMA events in the Event Explorer


The following events are displayed in the top table of the Event Explorer: # Call Attempts # Dropped Calls # Failed Calls # Excessive Setup These events are affected by the following thresholds: CDMA_AvgForwardFER CDMA_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold CDMA_PilotPollutionThreshold

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15.3 Dropped Call diagnosis for CDMA

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Diagnosis Coverage Issue Excessive Interference Poor Coverage Reverse Link Problem External Interference Forward Link Problem Low Rx Signal Poor Quality Neighbor List Issue Pilot Pollution Other

Condition and notes Evaluate the CDMA Important Issues parameter to identify the type of coverage issue present. Low EcIo, high MRx Power, low MTx Power. Low EcIo, low MRx Power, high MTx Power. High EcIo, high MRx Power, high MTx Power. Low EcIo, high MRx Power, high MTx Power. Low EcIo, low MRx Power, high MTx Power. High EcIo, low MRx Power, high MTx Power. FER > Average Forward FER threshold. New originating PN (Sync PN) is not contained in the neighbor list of the serving cell. 4+ pilots have EcIo > CDMA_PilotPollutionThreshold. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

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16 Appendix D: Data Service Analysis thresholds


16.1 DSA thresholds
You can modify threshold values for Data Service Analysis using the Tools, Display Thresholds command. It is important to set your threshold before loading the data because it will affect the analysis, diagnosis and display of data in Spotlight. To modify the value, simply click on the associated number and type in the new value. 16.1.1.1 HSDPA_CQI_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable Channel Quality Indicator value. The default is 15. 16.1.1.2 HSUPA_SGI_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable Serving Grant Index value. The default value of 18 corresponds to ~10 dB. The HSUPA SGI format group controls the exact mapping of the threshold values to dB values (shown below). Threshold Value 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 dB -9.5 -8.0 -6.6 -5.5 -4.4 -2.7 -1.9 -1.2 0.0 1.1 2.1 2.9 4.1 5.1 Threshold Value 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 dB 6.0 7.1 8.1 8.9 9.9 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 17.0 18.0 19.0 Threshold Value 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 63 dB 20.0 21.0 22.1 23.0 24.0 25.0 26.0 27.0 27.8 28.8 None N/Av

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16.1.2 Throughput thresholds


16.1.2.1 Absolute_ApplicationLowTput_DL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for downlink for the Below Absolute Threshold KPI. The default value is 1000 kB/sec. 16.1.2.2 Absolute_ApplicationLowTput_UL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for uplink for the Below Absolute Threshold KPI. The default value is 1000 kB/sec. 16.1.2.3 Application_LowTput_GPRS_DL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for downlink in GPRS for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 40 kB/sec. 16.1.2.4 Application_LowTput_GPRS_UL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for uplink in GPRS for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 10 kB/sec. 16.1.2.5 Application_LowTput_HSDPA_DL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for downlink in HSDPA for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 1000 kB/sec. 16.1.2.6 Application_LowTput_HSDPA_UL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for uplink in HSDPA for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 40 kB/sec. 16.1.2.7 Application_LowTput_HSPA_DL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for downlink in HSPA for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 1000 kB/sec. 16.1.2.8 Application_LowTput_HSPAPlus_DL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for downlink in HSPA+ for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 1000 kB/sec. 16.1.2.9 Application_LowTput_HSPAPlus_UL_Threshold

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for uplink in HSPA+ for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 600 kB/sec.

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16.1.2.10 Application_LowTput_HSUPA_UL_Threshold This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for uplink in HSUPA for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 600 kB/sec. 16.1.2.11 ApplicationLowTput_Idle_DL_Threshold This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application threshold value for downlink in Idle mode for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. Default is the same as HSPA. Change this to correspond to the network that you are testing. 16.1.2.12 ApplicationLowTput_Idle_UL_Threshold This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application threshold value for uplink in Idle mode for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. Default is the same as HSPA. Change this to correspond to the network that you are testing. 16.1.2.13 ApplicationLowTput_UMTS_DL_Threshold This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for downlink in UMTS for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 200 kB/sec. 16.1.2.14 ApplicationLowTput_UMTS_UL_Threshold This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable application throughput value for uplink in UMTS for the Below Composite Threshold KPI. The default value is 40 kB/sec.

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17 Appendix E: EGPRS KPIs and diagnoses


17.1 EGPRS thresholds
You can modify threshold values for event detection using the Tools, Display Thresholds command. It is important to set your threshold before loading the data because it will affect the analysis, diagnosis and display of data in Spotlight. To modify the value, simply click on the associated number and type in the new value.

17.1.1 EGPRS / Analysis


17.1.1.1 G_Cell_Reselect_Duration

This threshold determines the maximum time for a cell reselection. Any values above this threshold will be flagged as excessive high cell reselection time. Default is 15000ms. 17.1.1.2 G_Cell_Reselect_Time

This threshold determines the window during which cell reselections may take place. Any two reselections occurring within this threshold will be flagged as abnormally high cell reselections. Default is 15000ms. 17.1.1.3 G_RMAC_C_Value_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable C Value criterion. Typical values range from -80 to -95, though this is highly dependent on the coding scheme employed. Default is -85. 17.1.1.4 G_RMAC_CV_BEP_Max

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable CV BEP parameter. Default is 4. 17.1.1.5 G_RMAC_DL_TS_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable timeslot allocation. Default is 2. 17.1.1.6 G_RMAC_MEAN_BEP_Max

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable MEAN BEP parameter. Default is 25. 17.1.1.7 G_RMAC_Power_Reduction_Max

This threshold is used to determine the maximum acceptable Power reduction values on the RMAC interface. Default is 2. 17.1.1.8 G_RMAC_Sign_Var_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable signal quality variation as denoted by the RMAC_Sign_Var attribute. Default is 24.
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17.1.1.9

G_RMAC_TAI_Max

This threshold is used to determine the maximum acceptable TAI value. Default is 10.

17.1.2 EGPRS / Events


17.1.2.1 G_T3240_RAUTimer

This timer is used to determine the time (in ms) the system will wait for GPRS MM Routing Area Update Request messages to be answered with a GPRS MM Routing Area Update Accept before registering a Routing Area Update Failure. Default is 15000ms. 17.1.2.2 G_T3310_AttachTimer

This timer is used to determine the time (in ms) the system will wait for GPRS MM Attach Request messages to be answered with a GPRS MM Attach Accept before registering an Attach Failure. Default is 15000ms. 17.1.2.3 G_T3321_DetachTimer

This timer is used to determine the time (in ms) the system will wait for GPRS MM Detach Request messages to be answered with a GPRS MM Detach Accept before registering an Detach Failure. Default is 15000ms. 17.1.2.4 G_T3380_PDPActTimer

This timer is used to determine the time (in ms) the system will wait for GPRS SM Activate PDP Context Request messages to be answered with a GPRS SM Activate PDP Context Accept before registering a PDP Context Activation Failure. Default is 8000ms.

17.1.3 EGPRS / Spotlight


17.1.3.1 EGPRS_Duration_Period

This threshold is used to determine the period over which the minimum acceptable throughput value for RLC / LLC are evaluated in EGPRS. Default is 15000ms. 17.1.3.2 EGPRS_LLC_DL_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for LLC downlink in EGPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 5. 17.1.3.3 EGPRS_LLC_UL_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for LLC uplink in EGPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 1. 17.1.3.4 EGPRS_RLC_DL_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for RLC downlink in EGPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 10.
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17.1.3.5

EGPRS_RLC_UL_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for RLC uplink in EGPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 2. 17.1.3.6 GPRS_Duration_Period

This threshold is used to determine the period over which the minimum acceptable throughput value for RLC / LLC are evaluated in GPRS. Default is 15000ms. 17.1.3.7 GPRS_LLC_DL_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for LLC downlink in GPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 5. 17.1.3.8 GPRS_LLC_UL_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for LLC uplink in GPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 1. 17.1.3.9 GPRS_RLC_DL_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for RLC downlink in GPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 10. 17.1.3.10 GPRS_RLC_UL_Min This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable throughput value for RLC uplink in GPRS. This factor is highly dependent on the typical allocation of static / dynamic pdTCHs in your network. Default is 2.

17.2 EGPRS events in the Event Explorer


TASK Failure Low Throughput High Cell Reselection Long Cell Reselection RAU Failure (10 second window up to the event) Where time - default(prev_time_where(x), 0) > 5000 and GPRS_RAU_Reject or GPRS_RAU_Failure or GPRS_RAU_Aborted or TEMSEvent_GPRS_RAU_Failure or GPRS_Events==13
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or GPRS_Events==14 or GPRS_Events==15 Attach Failure (10 second window up to the event) Where time - default(prev_time_where(x), 0) > 5000 and GPRS_Attach_Reject or GPRS_Attach_Failure or GPRS_Attach_Aborted or TEMSEvent_GPRS_Attach_Failure or TEMSEvent_GPRS_Attach_Aborted or GPRS_Events==8 or GPRS_Events==9 or GPRS_Events==10 PDP Context Activation Failure (10 second window up to the event) Where time - default(prev_time_where(x), 0) > 5000 and GPRS_PDPContextAct_Reject or GPRS_PDPContextAct_Failure or GPRS_PDPContextAct_Aborted or TEMSEvent_GPRS_PDPContextActivation_Failure or GPRS_Events==2 or GPRS_Events==3 or GPRS_Events==4

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17.3 EGPRS diagnoses

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Diagnosis Poor Radio Conditions Rapidly Changing Radio Conditions

Condition and notes default(RMAC_C_Value, -75) <= G_RMAC_C_Value_Min default(RMAC_Sign_Var, 0) >= G_RMAC_Sign_Var_Min + default(RMAC_8PSK_CV_BEP, 7) <= G_RMAC_CV_BEP_Max + default(RMAC_GMSK_CV_BEP, 7) <= G_RMAC_CV_BEP_Max >0 default(RMAC_RxQual, 0) >= G_RxQualSub_Max + default(RMAC_8PSK_MEAN_BEP, 31) <= G_RMAC_MEAN_BEP_Max + default(RMAC_GMSK_Mean_BEP, 31) <= G_RMAC_MEAN_BEP_Max + default(ServRxQualSub, 0) >= G_RxQualSub_Max >0 default(RMAC_Power_Reduction, 0) >= G_RMAC_Power_Reduction_Max default(GPRS_DL_Timeslot_Numbers_Num, 3) <= G_RMAC_DL_TS_Min + default(RMAC_DL_NumTimeslots_Used_Actual, 3) <= G_RMAC_DL_TS_Min >0 [abs(ServBCCH - default(NborBCCH[n], 0)) < 2] > 0 where n = 0 to 5 AND default(RMAC_C_Value, -110) > G_RxLevSub_Min

Interference

Excessive Power Reduction Low bandwidth allocation

Co/Adjacent Channel allocations between neighbors

Distant Serving Cell

default(RMAC_TimingAdvanceIndex, 0) >= G_RMAC_TAI_Max

The 'default' function means 'use the first value in brackets if possible, otherwise use the second value'.

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18 Appendix F: EVDO KPIs and diagnoses


18.1 EVDO thresholds
You can modify threshold values for event detection using the Tools, Display Thresholds command. It is important to set your threshold before loading the data because it will affect the analysis, diagnosis and display of data in Spotlight. To modify the value, simply click on the associated number and type in the new value.

18.1.1 EVDO / Coverage


18.1.1.1 Average_PER_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Average PER (%) for cluster acceptance. Default is 3. 18.1.1.2 Average_SINR_PN0_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Average SINR for PN_Nth_Best_0 (dB) for cluster acceptance. Default is 3. 18.1.1.3 CDMA_EVDO_MobileRxPowerThreshold

This threshold is used in conjunction with EcIo and Mobile Tx Power Thresholds to determine the diagnosis for the dropped call, failed call and voice call with poor quality. Recommended value is -80 dBm. Values should vary between -75 and 90 dBm. 18.1.1.4 CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold

This is the absolute number of pilots (with Ec/Io above CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollutionThreshold) required to trigger a pilot pollution event. Default is 3. 18.1.1.5 CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollutionThreshold

In calculating pilot pollution, this threshold sets up the level of interference required for pegging the events (based on scanner info). When 4 or more pilots are above this threshold, a pilot pollution event is created. Recommended valus is -15 dB and the minimum and the maximum should be around -18 and -10 dB respectively. 18.1.1.6 Max_TxPower_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the maximum Transmit Power (in dBm) for cluster acceptance. 18.1.1.7 Min_TxPower_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the minimum Transmit Power (in dBm) for cluster acceptance.

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18.1.2 EVDO / Events


18.1.2.1 EVT_EVDOLowThroughput

1 (default) = Sets low throughput for EVDO troubleshooter; 0 = this analysis is turned off to gain on file load speeds. 18.1.2.2 EVT_EVDOServerKey

1 (default) = Turns on the EVDO Server Key event diagram for EVDO troubleshooter; 0 = this analysis is turned off to gain on file load speeds. 18.1.2.3 EVT_VerituneEVDOPilotPollution

1 (default) = Turns on the analysis for EVDO pilot pollution; 0 = this analysis is turned off to gain on file load speeds. 18.1.2.4 SchedulerAnalysis

1 (default) = Turns on the scheduler analysis for EVDO troubleshooter; 0 = this analysis is turned off to gain on file load speeds.

18.1.3 EVDO / Network Parameters


18.1.3.1 AccessAttemptDuration_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Access Attempt Setup time for cluster acceptance. Default is 3. 18.1.3.2 ConnectionAttemptDuration_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Connection Attempt Setup time for cluster acceptance. Default is 3. 18.1.3.3 ConnectionReleaseDuration_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Connection Release time for cluster acceptance. Default is 3. 18.1.3.4 PPPSetupTime_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the PPP Session Setup time for cluster acceptance. Default is 3.

18.1.4 EVDO / Other


18.1.4.1 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_0

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 0. Default is 0. 18.1.4.2 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_1

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 1. Default is 38400. 18.1.4.3 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_10

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 10. Default is 1228800.

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18.1.4.4

CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_11

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 11. Default is 1843200. 18.1.4.5 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_12

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 4. Default is 2457600. 18.1.4.6 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_13

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 13. This value is reserved. Default is 0. 18.1.4.7 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_14

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 14. This value is reserved. Default is 0. 18.1.4.8 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_15

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 15. The DRC Channel is Off for Index 15. Default is 0. 18.1.4.9 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_2

This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 2. Default is 76800. 18.1.4.10 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_3 This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 3. Default is 153600. 18.1.4.11 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_4 This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 4. Default is 307200. 18.1.4.12 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_5 This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 5. Default is 307200. 18.1.4.13 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_6 This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 6. Default is 614400. 18.1.4.14 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_7 This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 7. Default is 614400. 18.1.4.15 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_8 This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 8. Default is 921600. 18.1.4.16 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_9 This is the data rate requested in bps for DRC Index 9. Default is 1228800. 18.1.4.17 CDMA_EVDO_EcIoInterferenceThreshold Recommended value is -15 dBm. The maximum should not exceed 0 and the minimum should not be below -25 dBm.

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18.1.5 EVDO / Performance


18.1.5.1 AccessAttemptFailRate_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the EVDO Access Attempt Fail rate for cluster acceptance. The default is 5%. 18.1.5.2 AccessAttemptSuccessRate_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the EVDO Access Attempt success rate for cluster acceptance. The default is 95%. 18.1.5.3 Average_Rx_RlpRetransmissionRate_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Average Receive RLP Retransmission rate for cluster acceptance. The default is .3. 18.1.5.4 Average_RxRlpThputInst_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Average Receive RLP Throughput Inst. (kbps) for cluster acceptance. The default is 100 kbps. 18.1.5.5 Average_RxTCHThroughput_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Average Receive TCH Throughput (kbps) for cluster acceptance. The default is 100 kbps. 18.1.5.6 Average_Tx_RlpRetransmissionRate_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Average Transmit RLP Retransmission rate for cluster acceptance. The default is .3. 18.1.5.7 Average_TxRlpThputInst_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the Average Transmit RLP Throughput Inst. (kbps) for cluster acceptance. The default is 25 kbps. 18.1.5.8 ConnectionAttemptFailRate_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the EVDO Connection Attempt Fail rate for cluster acceptance. Default is 5%. 18.1.5.9 ConnectionAttemptSuccessRate_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the EVDO Connection Attempt success rate for cluster acceptance. The default is 95%. 18.1.5.10 ConnectionReleaseSuccessRate_Threshold This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the EVDO Connection Release Success rate for cluster acceptance. The default is 95%. 18.1.5.11 PPPConnectionSuccessRate_Threshold This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the PPP Connection Success Rate for cluster acceptance. The default is 95%.

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18.1.6 RevA
18.1.6.1 RL_Throughput_Threshold

This threshold (in kbps) is used to set the Low Throughput event for RL for both HICAP and LOLAT modes over all packet sizes. All RL Throughput values less than or equal to RL_Throughput_Threshold value for all continuously RL_Throughput_TimeLimit_Threshold seconds will be flagged as a Low RL Throughput issue. The default is 50 kbps. 18.1.6.2 RL_Throughput_TimeLimit_Threshold

This threshold is used to set the time limit in seconds to be used in computing the Low Throughput event for RL Packets. All RL Throughput values less than or equal to RL_Throughput_Threshold value for continuously RL_Throughput_TimeLimit_Threshold seconds will be flagged as Low RL Throughput issue. Default is 15 seconds. 18.1.6.3 SU_Rx_Throughput_Threshold

This threshold (in kbps) is used to set the Low Throughput event for TC averaged over time including the time the AN did not serve the AT. All Single User Throughput values less than or equal to SU_Rx_Throughput_Threshold value for continuously SU_Rx_Throughput_TimeLimit_Threshold seconds will be flagged as a Low SU Throughput issue. Default is 500 kbps. 18.1.6.4 T2P_Avg_Threshold

This threshold (in dB) indicates the optimum value above which the transmission data rate is satisfactory. The default value is 10 dB.

18.2 EVDO events in the Event Explorer


The following events are displayed in the top table of the Event Explorer: # Dropped Connections # Setup Failures # Access Attempt Failures # Excessive Setup # Low Throughput # Scheduling Issues % Low SU Throughput (RevA) % Low RL Throughput (RevA)

These events are affected by the following thresholds: Average_PER_Threshold Average_SINR_PN0_Threshold CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollutionThreshold Average_RxRlpThputInst_Threshold Average_TxRlpThputInst_Threshold EVDO_Number_of_Users T2P_Avg_Threshold (RevA)

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18.3 Dropped Connection diagnosis for EVDO


The following diagram outlines Spotlight's procedure for determining a diagnosis of Dropped Connection events.

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Diagnosis Abnormal Connection Release

Condition and notes ConnectionRelease_Reason parameter gives the reason for any abnormal connection releases. PER > Average PER threshold Average 1st Best SINR < Average_SINR_PN0_Threshold. 4+ pilots have EcIo > CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollutionThreshold. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

Poor Quality Low Signal Pilot Pollution Other

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18.4 Low Throughput diagnosis for EVDO


The following diagram outlines Spotlight's procedure for determining a diagnosis of Low Throughput events.

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Diagnosis Low RLP Rx Throughput Low RLP Tx Throughput Network Overload Low Signal Poor Quality Pilot Pollution Other

Condition and notes Ave. Rx RLP Throughput < Average_RxRlpThputInst_Threshold. Ave. Tx RLP Throughput < Average_TxRlpThputInst_Threshold. Number of users > EVDO_Numberof_Users (Threshold). Average 1st Best SINR < Average_SINR_PN0_Threshold. PER > Average PER threshold. 4+ pilots have EcIo > CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollutionThreshold. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

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18.5 Scheduling Issues diagnosis for EVDO


The following diagram outlines Spotlight's procedure for determining a diagnosis of Scheduling Issue events.

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Diagnosis Network Overload Low Signal Poor Quality Pilot Pollution Other

Condition and notes Number of users > EVDO_Number_of_Users (Threshold). Average 1st Best SINR < Average_SINR_PN0_Threshold. PER > Average PER threshold. 4+ pilots have EcIo > CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollutionThreshold. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

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19 Appendix G: GSM thresholds, KPIs and diagnoses


19.1 GSM thresholds
You can modify threshold values for event detection using the Tools, Display Thresholds command. It is important to set your threshold before loading the data because it will affect the analysis, diagnosis and display of data in Spotlight. To modify the value, simply click on the associated number and type in the new value.

19.1.1 Spotlight
19.1.1.1 SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold

This threshold is used if there is no Max_ServerDist information in the cellref file, and indicates the maximum serving distance (in meters) a cell should serve. Default is 5000m.

19.1.2 GSM / Advanced_Handover_Analysis


19.1.2.1 Dragged_Dominance_Hysteresis

This threshold is the dBm hysteresis applied to the Best Neighbor Level to trigger a loss of dominance of the server. Once a loss of dominance is triggered, and not re-established before the Dragged_HO_Window timer expires, then any subsequent Handover Failure or Dropped Call will trigger the Dragged Handover Failure or Dragged Drop. Dominance loss = ServRxLevSub < (Best_Nbr Hysteresis). The default value is 5 dBm. 19.1.2.2 Dragged_HO_Window

This threshold is the number of milliseconds that the MS must lose dominance for, before a Dragged Handover Failure or Dragged Dropped Call is triggered. The default value is 10000 ms. 19.1.2.3 Ping_Pong_HO_Window

This threshold is the number of milliseconds during which a handover back to the previous cell will trigger the Ping Pong Handover Event. The default value is 6000 ms.

19.1.3 GSM / Analysis


19.1.3.1 G_Distance_Max

This threshold is used to determine the maximum distance allowed per cell. Typically, values in excess of 8000 meters are usually regarded as distant serving cells.

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19.1.3.2

G_Handover_Min

This threshold is used in conjunction with handover to determine the minimum possible signal difference for handover to take place. Recommended values are 56 dB. 19.1.3.3 G_MsTxPowStepOrdered_Min

This threshold is used in conjunction with the signal strength to determine incorrect uplink power balance. This value is usually set to 0 to indicate maximum uplink power. 19.1.3.4 G_Prolong_Interf_timer

This threshold is used in conjunction with the signal strength and signal quality to determine prolong interference that is, good signal strength but bad quality in this time window will cause a prolong interference event. 19.1.3.5 G_RxLevSub_Min

This threshold is used to determine the minimum acceptable value for signal strength. Any signal below this threshold is categorized as poor coverage. Recommended value: -95 dBm. 19.1.3.6 G_RxQualSub_Max

This threshold is used in conjunction with the signal strength to determine whether there is interference present on the cell. Typically, values in excess of 3 with good signal strength usually indicate the presence of interference. 19.1.3.7 G_TimingAdvance_Max

This threshold is used in absence of the Distance parameter to determine the maximum distance allowed per cell. Typically, values over 16 (that is, approximately 8 km) are usually regarded as distant serving cells.

19.1.4 GSM / Cell_Plan_Viewer


19.1.4.1 G_Interference_Radius

This value is used to define a radius of analysis about a selected sector for coadjacent interference and neighbors visualizations in the Cell Plan Viewer. You can set the units to be used (either miles or kilometers) in Preferences, General Settings, Distance Units. 19.1.4.2 G_ScanSortSigLevel_Min

This value is used in relation to the scanner signal level; for example, in the Channel Overlap analysis in the GSM Cell Plan Viewer.

19.1.5 GSM / Events


19.1.5.1 G_Timeout_ChannelRequest

This value is used to determine the time (in ms) the system will wait for RR Channel Request messages to be answered before registering a Call Setup Failure. Default is 3000 ms.

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19.1.6 GSM / Spotlight


19.1.6.1 SL_GSM_Ant_Gain_Threshold

This threshold is the default Antenna gain, used in the calculation of pathloss. The default value is 18.4 dB. 19.1.6.2 SL_GSM_BTS_Sens_Threshold

This threshold is the default BTS receive sensitivity, used in the calculation of UL pathloss. The default value is -120 dBm. 19.1.6.3 SL_GSM_EIRP_Threshold

This threshold is the default EIRP, used in the calculation of DL pathloss. The default value is 55. 19.1.6.4 SL_GSM_High_TX_Power_Threshold

This threshold is used for determining a High TX condition. The default value is 30. 19.1.6.5 SL_GSM_RapidPathloss_RxLev_Threshold

This threshold is used in Rapid Pathloss detection, a condition of which is that RxLev has dropped by at least this threshold value within the defined time window. The RxQual condition must also be met for Rapid Pathloss to be detected. The default value is 5 dB. 19.1.6.6 SL_GSM_RapidPathloss_RxQual_Threshold

This threshold is used in Rapid Pathloss detection, a condition of which is that RxQual has dropped by at least this threshold value within the defined time window. The RxLev condition must also be met for Rapid Pathloss to be detected. The default value is 2. 19.1.6.7 SL_GSM_RapidPathloss_Time_window_Threshold

This threshold is used to define the window over which Rapid Pathloss is performed. The default value is 3000 ms. 19.1.6.8 SL_GSM_Site_Issues_Dist_Threshold

This threshold is used in the outside beamwidth analysis, and only data within this distance from the site is considered for the analysis. The default value is 5000m.

19.1.7 GSM / Troubleshooter


19.1.7.1 G_Analysis_Time_After

This value is used to determine the time (in ms) allocated to investigate the radio conditions AFTER the detected event occurrence. Typically, values of 5000 to 10000 ms are used. Values less than 5000 ms will tend to be more accurate, but less attributes will be detected, while values in excess of 10000 ms tend to have a high detection of attributes, but with relatively low accuracy since the time under analysis is large.

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19.1.7.2

G_Analysis_Time_Before

This value is used to determine the time (in ms) allocated to investigate the radio conditions PRIOR to the detected event occurrence. Typically, values of 5000 to 10000 ms are used. Values less than 5000 ms will tend to be more accurate, but fewer attributes will be detected, while values in excess of 10000 ms tend to detect a large number of attributes, but with relatively low accuracy since the time under analysis is large. 19.1.7.3 G_CallDropRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the repository views. The Call Drop Rate should not exceed 2% of all successful calls in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal to or less than this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is higher than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table. 19.1.7.4 G_CallSetupSuccessRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the repository views. The Call Setup Success Rate should be in excess of 98% for most GSM networks in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal to or in excess of this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is less than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table. 19.1.7.5 G_HandoverSuccessRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the repository views. The Handover Success Rate should be in excess of 98% for most GSM networks in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal or in excess to this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is less than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table. 19.1.7.6 G_LocationUpdateSuccessRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the repository views. The Location Update Success Rate should be in excess of 98% for most GSM networks in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal or in excess to this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is less than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table. 19.1.7.7 G_OverAllSuccessRate

This threshold is used to determine the criterion for KPI acceptance in the repository views. The Overall Success Rate should be in excess of 98% for most GSM networks in the busy hour. If the resulting KPI is equal or in excess to this value, it will be flagged as accepted and will show up as a green tick mark in the KPI table. If it is less than this value, it will be flagged as failed and will show up as a red cross in the KPI table.

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19.2 GSM events in the Event Explorer


The following event information is displayed in the top table of the Event Explorer: GSM: Circuit Switched category # Call Attempts #Dropped Calls # Call Setup Failures # LU Fails GSM: Handover Issues category # HO Att # HO Fails GSM: NBR Neighbor Issues category % Strong NBR % Strong NBR Diff Band % NBRs with 5dB % NBRs with 5dB Diff Band GSM Diagnoses Call Setup Failure diagnosis Location Update Failure diagnosis Dropped Calls diagnosis Handover Failure diagnosis

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19.3 Call Setup Failure diagnosis for GSM


The following diagram outlines Spotlight's procedure for determining a diagnosis of Call Setup Failure events.

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Diagnosis RR Failed

Condition and notes An RR Channel Request is not followed by an RR Immediate Assignment with matching establishment cause and random reference within the time period specified by the G_Timeout_ChannelRequest threshold. An Immediate Reject message was received.

Immediate Reject Another Call Started

Another RR Channel Request with the same establishment cause and random reference occurs more than 200 milliseconds after the RR Immediate Assignment and before the call setup is complete. Another RR Channel Request with a different establishment cause or random reference occurs at any time after the RR Immediate Assignment and before the call setup is complete.

CM Service Abort / Reject User Release Poor Coverage Interference Other

A CM Service Abort / Reject message was received. When a call setup procedure is aborted by the UE with a UL CC Disconnect message. If ServRxLevSub < G_RxLevSub_Min. If ServRxQualSub > G_RxQualSub_Max. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

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19.4 Location Update Failure diagnosis for GSM


The following diagram outlines Spotlight's procedure for determining a diagnosis of Location Update Failure events.

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Diagnosis RR Failed

Condition and notes An RR Channel Request is not followed by an RR Immediate Assignment with matching establishment cause and random reference within the time period specified by the G_Timeout_ChannelRequest threshold. An Immediate Reject message was received.

Immediate Reject Another Call Started

Another RR Channel Request with the same establishment cause and random reference occurs more than 200 milliseconds after the RR Immediate Assignment and before the call setup is complete. Another RR Channel Request with a different establishment cause or random reference occurs at any time after the RR Immediate Assignment and before the call setup is complete.

LU Reject Poor Coverage Interference System Released

A Location Update Failure message was received. If ServRxLevSub < G_RxLevSub_Min. If ServRxQualSub > G_RxQualSub_Max. When the cause code is Not Normal (0-31, 42) in either the NAS message or the RR Channel Release message. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

Other

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19.5 Dropped Calls diagnosis for GSM


The following diagram outlines Spotlight's procedure for determining a diagnosis of Dropped Call events.

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Diagnosis System Released

Condition and notes When the cause code is Not Normal (0-31, 42) in either the NAS message or the RR Channel Release message. Handset: If after the drop, BCH is not in the BA list, but was before the drop. Scanner: If one of the top 6 BCH is not in the BA list before the drop.

Missing Neighbor

Handover Problem Poor Coverage Interference Other

If stronger neighbors than the serving cell for a period. See GSM Dragged Handovers. If ServRxLevSub < G_RxLevSub_Min. If ServRxQualSub > G_RxQualSub_Max. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

19.6 Handover Failure diagnosis for GSM


The diagnosis for Handover Failure is derived directly from the CauseCodeRR value. For example: Diagnosis Handover Impossible (TA out of Range) Channel mode unacceptable Frequency not implemented Condition and notes Handover Failure message, CauseCodeRR = 8 Handover Failure message, CauseCodeRR = 9 Handover Failure message, CauseCodeRR = 10

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20 Appendix H: HSPA thresholds, KPIs and diagnoses


20.1 HSPA Event Explorer analysis
20.1.1 Event Explorer dashboard
In the top table of the Event Explorer dashboard, by default the following HSPA event KPIs are displayed, aggregated by site:

Call Attempts Dropped Calls Call Setup Failures Average RAW Throughput RAW Throughput Peak Cell Change Failures (not yet implemented) Low Raw Throughput Instances Low Net Throughput Instances

20.1.2 Detailed Event Diagnostics


Of the HSPA KPIs listed in the top table, these have diagnostic information (and can be investigated further using the Drilldown mechanism):

Call Drop Low Raw Throughput Low Net Throughput

For failure scenarios where a transition to Idle mode occurs (such as the dropped call under investigation in this example), we strongly recommend that, in the Drilldown options, you select a long 'After Window' (in the tens of seconds). Please refer to the description of HSPA KPIs on p207 for details of HSPA diagnostics.

20.2 HSPA Call Drop Analysis example


To access the HSPA Call Drop analysis, select the HSPA Call Drop from either the HSPA Summary Dashboard in the Critical Issues section, or the top table of the Event Explorer page. At the top of the Event Explorer page is a list of occurrences of HSPA Call drops. An associated root cause analysis is shown in the diagnostic panel on the left.

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The first example of an HSPA Dropped Call is a case of HSPA to R99 transition via Idle mode. The UE goes out of HSPA coverage and is forced into Idle mode by the network, which then re-establishes the radio connection on the new site in R99. The diagnostic panel provides essential information, such as the last SC under HSPA coverage (104), and the target SC in R99 (45). This can also be clearly seen on the map. One interesting binned data attribute to display on the map is the UE state, which indicates what kind of resources (if any) are allocated to the UE (HSPA, DCH_R99, FACH). By plotting this binned data on the map, we can confirm the diagnosis, and can visualize the transitions from HSPA to DCH_R99.

20.2.1 Drilldown
You can investigate all the KPIs with diagnostic information with the Drilldown mechanism. The dropped call under investigation in this example, includes a transition to Idle mode, so in the Drilldown options, a long 'After Window' of 30 seconds was selected.

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The drilldown screen looks like this:

The main aspects to point out from the screen layout are:

The Active Set analysis: it can be clearly seen that at the moment of the call drop, SC_45 is much stronger than SC_104 (the current HSPA server) In the Protocol Stack Browser, it is worth noting that the user consistently reports that SC_45 has a better signal than SC_104 (several Measurement Report messages), until the network decides to release the radio connection (RRC Connection Release message). Further down in the signaling, the user is paged by the network, and the radio connection is re-established on SC_45, but in R99. The radio charts report the typical HSPA L1 measurements and give an idea of the quality of the HSPA connection before the call drops. Due to the UE dropping to Idle for several seconds, the HSPA radio performance is less essential for the analysis as the user experience is compromised anyway. However, the HSPA connection provides a good performance up to a few seconds before the drops, as the throughput remains at reasonable levels.

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20.3 HSDPA Low Throughput example


You can access the Low Throughput analysis by selecting either Low Raw HS Throughput or Low Net HS Throughput KPI from the Summary Dashboard's Critical Issues section, or from the top table of the Event Explorer Once one of the Low Throughput KPIs is selected, the Event Explorer displays in the diagnostic panel a list of five occurrences of Low Throughput and associated root cause analyses.

Three different results from the root cause analysis are shown. Skip the cases related to HSPA to R99 transition via Idle mode, as they coincide with the dropped call events seen above. Whenever an HSPA Call Drop event is detected, a Low Throughput event is also pegged, because transitions to Idle involve a service interruption noticeable by the user. The first case to analyze is the event caused by a Direct HS Cell Change - that is, when the network points the user at another HS server cell. These cases should introduce relatively short interruptions, so the settings of the thresholds that control Low Throughput detection (see above) play a fundamental role here. It is important to highlight that the diagnostic information provides information on the type of Cell Change in terms of site and frequency. Cell Changes that involve a change of site cause longer interruptions therefore these are the most common in the diagnostic panel, like in this demo. If a change of frequency occurs, the interruption is normally even longer. However, the technology seems not mature yet to allow Direct Cell Changes with change of frequency (but we have seen change of frequency cases with transitions to Idle mode).
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Other useful information to mention is signal strength of source and target cell and all the HSPA physical layer measurement provided before and after the event. For a well-designed network, the performance should improve following a Cell Change. That is not always the case, as we will see shortly. Now look at the second case of Direct Cell Change shown on the right. It highlights that numerous Cell Changes occurred in a very short time, and this is a clear example of network not optimized. In the Drill-down section, we will be able to see that the cell changes occur between the same two cells, casing a so-called ping-pong scenario. The performance slightly increases right after the cell change, but as we can see, the quality of the signal (EcIo) in the target cell is already degrading.

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Another case that can be shown is the Lack of Data to Transmit scenario, where throughput is extremely low but the radio conditions are good. In the map the user is very close to the serving cell, which justifies the high level of CQI (23) measured during the low throughput window of time. The noticeable quality degradation after the event is due to radio condition getting worse, and this will be clear from the Drill-down page. However, the lack of data to transmit scenario identified here is independent of the conditions occurring after.

20.3.1 Drilldown
All the KPIs with diagnostic information can be investigated further via the Drilldown mechanism. Just like for the HSDPA Call Drop KPI, remember to select a long after window in the Drilldown options for scenarios that include Idle transitions.

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For the HS Direct Cell Change case, an After Window of 5 seconds is enough. The Event Navigator below confirms the occurrence of several HS Cell changes within a short time. Also, the Protocol Stack Browser window shows the signaling associated with these mobility procedures. Finally, the radio graphs give an overview of the level of degradation suffered from this poor design issue.

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For the Lack of Data to Transmit case, maintain the Drill-down settings used above.

Here we can see that despite good radio conditions (check the numeric values of CQI and its visual representation on the map) throughput is null before the event detection. Radio conditions get worse afterwards, and in fact, it is possible to see quite easily from the Event Navigator form that a HS Cell Change occurs. But as mentioned above this is another issue and completely unrelated to the lack of data to transmit.

20.4 HSPA events in the Event Explorer


20.4.1 HSPA Call Drops
An HSPA call is a UMTS PS Call where the UE is in 'HSPA' state. Therefore, the trigger of HSPA Drop call is the same as UMTS PS Drop call, but a HSPA Drop call is only pegged when the UE is in HSPA state at the moment the call drops. Usually, whenever the UE goes from HSPA to Idle without a normal call release, an HSPA Drop Call event is detected. The most recurrent scenarios are:

Terminal spontaneously (that is, not network-forced) dropping the radio connection Network releasing the radio connection for causes other than user inactivity or normal PDP Context deactivation
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The following failure cases are supported:

Deactivation of PDP Context due to abnormal situations When the network (SGSN) releases the PDP context for abnormal scenarios (this is detected via a Deactivation PDP Context Request downlink message with SM cause different from 'Regular deactivation'. UE drops to idle The UE drops to idle when radio link conditions becomes poor. Typical scenarios are: - No coverage - Excessive interference - The UE is moving in an area where HSPA is not supported (and the network does not handle direct HSDPA to R99 transitions). RRC Connection Release The network (RNC) releases the RRC Connection with a cause other than 'Normal' or 'User Inactivity'.

20.4.2 Low Throughput Issues


Low throughput conditions are detected when the user throughput exceeds a certain threshold for a specified period of time. The analysis can be based on Raw MAC-HS throughput or Net MAC-HS throughput. For more information on Raw and Net MAC-HS Throughput, please see the section HSPA Throughput KPIs on p218. You can configure the detection mechanism via the following HSDPA thresholds: 20.4.2.1 Uu_HSDPALowRawThrou_Thresh

The value (in kbps) under which the instantaneous Raw HSDPA throughput is considered LOW - It is used in conjunction with the threshold Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres, to peg Low Raw MAC-HS Throughput events in Drive Test. 20.4.2.2 Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh

The value (in kbps) under which the instantaneous Net HSDPA throughput is considered LOW - It is used in conjunction with the threshold Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres, to peg Low Net MAC-HS Throughput events in Drive Test. 20.4.2.3 Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres

The time (in msec.) that the HSDPA throughput is allowed to stay under a certain value (Uu_HSDPALowRawThrou_Thresh or Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh). If the throughput stays under those raw or net throughput thresholds for a period longer than Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres a Low Raw(Net) MAC-HS Throughput event is pegged for Drive Test

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KPI/attribute Uu_LowRawHSDPAThroughput Uu_LowNetHSDPAThroughput Uu_HSCellNotBestPilot Low Tput KPI event (Used for diagnostic purposes only)

Related threshold Uu_HSDPALowRawThrou_Thresh Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres Uu_WinTimeHSnotBest Uu_HSDPALowCQI_Thresh Uu_HSDPAAvRegularSched_Thresh Uu_HSDPAAvLowSched_Thresh Uu_HSDPANet_To_L1_Throu_Thresh Uu_HSDPAL1_To_Raw_Throu_Thresh SL_UMTS_DT_Spotlight_CriticalIssues_HSDPAPea kTput

HSDPA Peak Tput (threshold determines if this is a critical issue in the Summary dashboard) HSDPA Setup Failure rate Overall PS Setup Failure rate Average HSDPA Call Setup time HSDPA Call Drop rate Overall PS Call Drop rate Average EcIo 95 percentile MAC-HS Tput Average RSCP 95 percentile DL TCP Tput 95 percentile CQI Tput 95 percentile EcIo Tput 95 percentile RSCP Tput

HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Failure_Rate HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_Overall_PS_Failure_Rate HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Setup_Time HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Drop_Rate HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_PS_Drop_Rate HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_EcIo_Threshold HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_MACHS_T hroughput_Threshold HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_RSCP_Threshold HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_TCP_Thro ughput_Threshold HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_CQI_Thre shold HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_EcIo_Thr eshold HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_RSCP_Th reshold

The following failure cases are supported: 20.4.2.4 Raw HS Throughput

Mobility scenarios Whenever a mobility scenario occurs, expect throughput degradation. The level of degradation is proportional to the duration of the mobility procedure, during which the UE receives a limited amount of data - or no data at all, as with Idle transitions.

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The sub-cases below are self-explanatory and are all mutually exclusive by definition: HS Direct Cell change ongoing Intra-F HS Cell Change via Idle mode Inter-F HS Cell Change via Idle mode HS to DCH_R99 direct transition HS to DCH_R99 transition via Idle mode

Low CQI values These are detected when the average CQI in the last 3 seconds is below the user-specified threshold Uu_HSDPALowCQI_Thresh. 30 is the maximum value a UE can report, and Uu_HSDPALowCQI_Thresh is a number between 0 and 1. The threshold needs to be a factor ranging from 0 to 1 rather than an absolute CQI threshold between 0 and 30, because under certain scenarios UEs might only report 15 as the maximum CQI. Low CQI values are an indication of poor radio downlink conditions. Lack of data to transmit This is detected when the Statistical Mode of the Instantaneous Raw Tput in the last 3 seconds is 0. This scenario typically occurs when there is no activity (data), but the handset is kept in HSPA mode by the network. Low scheduling rate This is detected when in the last 3 seconds, the average scheduling rate (from the instantaneous scheduling rate dataset Uu_HSDPA_FrameUsage) is below the user-specified threshold Uu_HSDPAAvRegularSched_Thresh (0..1). This may occur when more than one HSPA user is present in the HS Serving Cell where the event is detected. Net HS Throughput

20.4.2.5

A Low Net HS Throughput can usually be associated with an underlying Raw Throughput scenario. However, there are some interesting cases where, despite a good Raw Throughput, the Net Throughput does not reach satisfactory levels:

Low Raw HS Throughput If Low RAW Tput is also detected, the diagnostic simply reports that the cause of Net Tput degradation is related to underlying Raw Tput. Check through the Low Raw Throughput KPI list of occurrences for the right event (timestamp would be the same as the Low Net Tput event. However some useful measurement data are included in the table for the Net Tput KPI and this data might be sufficient). Low Raw HS Throughput not detected All the cases listed for Raw Throughput are still valid. However the diagnostic alerts you that the threshold for Low Raw Throughput event detection might not be restrictive enough, which would explain why only Net Throughput issues are detected.

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If high levels of retransmission occur, the 'Further Information' section provides additional information regarding Net throughput. Two scenarios are analyzed:

High retransmissions due to packet incorrectly received in Downlink This is detected when: Uu_HSDPA_Throughput_L1 < Uu_HSDPAL1_To_Raw_Throu_Thresh Uu_HSDPA_PayloadRate_L1 For the definition of the different types of HSDPA throughput, please refer to the section on HSDPA Throughput KPIs.

High retransmissions due to poor Uplink quality conditions This is detected when: Uu_HSDPA_Throughput_MAC Uu_HSDPA_Throughput_L1 < Uu_HSDPANet_To_L1_Throu_Thresh

For the definition of the different types of HSDPA throughput, please refer to the section on HSDPA Throughput KPIs.

20.4.3 Lack of pilot dominance issues


This is essentially very similar to 'Pilot pollution' or 'Too many servers' but focused on HSDPA. HSDPA requires clear pilot dominance for an efficient service delivery (good throughput). Identifying zones with a lack of pilot dominance is a very important task in the rollout and optimization of HSDPA.

20.4.4 HSPA Call Setup Failure


This event is detected whenever a failure occurs during the setup of the HSPA bearer. An attempt to establish a HSPA call can be detected only when the bearer is being set up. Therefore, if a UMTS PS call fails at an early stage, it is not possible to know whether a R99 or a HSPA bearer would have been used. In these cases, the Call Setup Failure is pegged only as a UMTS PS Call Setup Failure.

20.4.5 Known Issues


If a particular KPI event (for example, HSPA Call Drop) occurs very close to the end of the logfile, the event can be missing from the diagnostic panel in the KPI dashboard. However, the event will be flagged in both the initial dashboard (as part of the % Call Drop Critical Issue if the relevant threshold condition is fulfilled) and the top table of the KPI dashboard, leading to a discrepancy in the number of events displayed.

20.5 HSPA Throughput KPIs


The following types of HSPA throughput are provided in the HSPA Network Acceptance report:

Raw MAC-HS throughput Net MAC-HS throughput

Net DL TCP throughput

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MAC-HS throughput KPIs (e.g. Mean, Mode, 95% percentile) are derived from the MAC-HS instantaneous throughputs. Both raw and net instantaneous throughputs are calculated every 200 msecs: MAC - HS instantaneous throughput = (bytes received by the UE over 200ms)/200ms The difference between Raw and Net MAC-HS throughput is that Raw throughput includes ALL the packets scheduled for the UE, while Net throughput does not include packets unsuccessfully decoded or re-transmitted: Raw throughput -> All packets received by UE Net throughput -> Only successfully decoded (not re-transmitted) packets The following figure further clarifies the approach used for the calculation of Raw and Net MAC-HS throughput:

Total # packets contributing to Raw MAC-HS throughput -> 7 Total # packets contributing to Net MAC-HS throughput -> 5

20.5.1 Notes

In ideal scenarios, Raw and Net MAC-HS throughput are equal, but in reality the Net throughput is always lower than the Raw throughput. For the purpose of throughput calculation, the size of the entire MAC-HS PDU is used; this includes MAC-HS header and padding. For this reason, MAC-HS net throughput and RLC throughput do not coincide:

The Net DL TCP throughput is simply the downlink TCP throughput that excludes TCP re-transmissions.
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20.6 HSDPA thresholds


You can modify threshold values for event detection using the Tools, Display Thresholds command. It is important to set your threshold before loading the data because it will affect the analysis, diagnosis and display of data in Spotlight. To modify the value, simply click on the associated number and type in the new value.

20.6.1 Spotlight Thresholds


20.6.1.1 SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold

This threshold is used, if there is no Max_ServerDist information in the cellref and indicates the maximum serving distance (in meters) a cell should serve. Default is 5000m.

20.6.2 HSDPA thresholds


The following thresholds are available under the root of the HSDPA node: 20.6.2.1 IUB_THROUGHPUT_PERIOD_THRES

This threshold is used to set the sampling period (in msec.) for the calculation of MACd throughput over the Iub. Note that MACd throughput includes the header of RLC and layer above (PDCP, IP, etc.). The default value is 1000 ms. 20.6.2.2 Uu_HSDPALowRawThrou_Thresh

This threshold is used to set the value (in kbps) under which the instantaneous Raw HSDPA throughput is considered LOW - It is used in conjunction with the threshold Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres, to peg Low Raw MAC-HS Throughput events in Drive Test. For a definition of Raw HSDPA Throughput see Uu_HSDPA_PayloadRate_L1. The default value is 400 kbps. 20.6.2.3 Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh

This threshold is used to set the value (in kbps) under which the instantaneous Net HSDPA throughput is considered LOW - It is used in conjunction with the threshold Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres, to peg Low Net MAC-HS Throughput events in Drive Test. For a definition of Net HSDPA Throughput, see Uu_HSDPA_Throughput_MAC. The default value is 300 kbps. 20.6.2.4 Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres

This threshold is used to set the period of time (in msec.) that the HSDPA throughput is allowed to stay under a certain value (Uu_HSDPALowRawThrou_Thresh or Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh). If the throughput stays under those raw or net throughput thresolds for a period longer than Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres a Low Raw(Net) MAC-HS Throughput event is pegged for Drive Test. The default value is 3000 ms. 20.6.2.5 Uu_ThresGapBeforeThrComparison

This parameter indicates the gap between the end of the Cell Change procedure and the start of the time interval used to calculate the TCP throughput for comparison with the throughput during the cell change. The time interval is as lons as the duration of the Cell Change procedure. The default value is 1000 ms.
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20.6.2.6

Uu_WinTimeHSnotBest

This threshold is used to set the period of time (in msec.) that the EcIo of the HS Serving Cell is allowed to be lower than the best pilot EcIo in the Active Set. If the quality of the HS Serving Cell is below the best pilot in the AS for a period longer than this threshold a Uu_HSCellNotBestPilot event is pegged for Drive Test. The default value is 1000 ms.

20.6.3 HSDPA / HSDPA_NW_Acceptance Thresholds


These are used for the HSPA Spotlight Reports. 20.6.3.1 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Failure_Rate

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the HSPA call setup failure rate. 20.6.3.2 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_Overall_PS_Failure_Rate

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the overall PS call setup failure rate (HSPA and R99). 20.6.3.3 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Setup_Time

This threshold is used to indicate an average HSPA call setup acceptance time. 20.6.3.4 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Drop_Rate

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the HSPA call drop rate. 20.6.3.5 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_PS_Drop_Rate

This threshold is used to indicate a pass threshold for the PS R99 call drop rate. 20.6.3.6 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_EcIo_Threshold

This threshold is used in conjunction RSCP threshold, to setup thresholds above which measurements from the UE as seen good for HSPA Network acceptance. 20.6.3.7 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_RSCP_Threshold

This threshold is used in conjunction EcIo threshold, to setup thresholds above which measurements from the UE a seen good for HSPA Network acceptance. 20.6.3.8 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_MACHS_Throughput_ Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate the lowest required Raw MAC HS Throughput value at the 95 percentile for HSPA Network acceptance (unit is kbit/sec). 20.6.3.9 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_TCP_Throughput_Thr eshold

This threshold is used to indicate the lowest required TCP Throughput value at the 95 percentile for HSPA Network acceptance (unit is kbit/sec).

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20.6.3.10 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_CQI_Threshold This threshold is used to indicate the lowest required CQI value at the 95 percentile for HSPA Network acceptance. 20.6.3.11 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_EcIo_Threshold This threshold is used to indicate the lowest required EcIo value at the 95 percentile for HSPA Network acceptance. 20.6.3.12 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_RSCP_Threshold This threshold is used to indicate the lowest required RSCP value at the 95 percentile for HSPA Network acceptance.

20.6.4 HSDPA / Spotlight Thresholds


20.6.4.1 Uu_HSDPALowCQI_Thresh

This threshold is used to set the value under which the average CQI is considered low (average calculated on the 5 secs. before the occurrence of a failure event). NOTE: the threshold is expressed as the ratio (0..1) of the max achievable CQI. The max achievable CQI is a function of the UE category and the modulation used (QPSK or 16 QAM). See more information about this threshold under "HSPA Call Drop". The default value is 0.4. 20.6.4.2 Uu_HSDPAAvRegularSched_Thresh

This threshold is used to set the value under which the average HS Scheduling is a possible sign of regular scheduling in presence of other HSPA users (average calculated on the 5 secs. before the occurrence of a failure event). NOTE: the threshold is expressed as a percentage value (0..100). See more information about this threshold in the help under "HSPA Low Raw Throughput". The default value is 70%. 20.6.4.3 Uu_HSDPANet_To_L1_Throu_Thresh

This threshold is used to set the value under which the ratio between Net HS Throughput average and L1 HS Throughput average is considered low enough to assign the cause of Low Net HS Throughput not only to lack of data sent by the network, but for example due to high retransmission levels. The average of the Throughput values is calculated on the 5 secs. before the occurrence of the Low Net Throughput event). NOTE: the threshold is expressed as the ratio (0..1). See also Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh and Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres for the exact definition of the Low Net HS Throughput event, and Uu_HSDPA_Throughput_L1 and Uu_HSDPA_Throughput_MAC for a definition of L1 and Net HS throughput. The default value is 0.7. 20.6.4.4 Uu_HSDPAL1_To_Raw_Throu_Thresh

This threshold is used to set the value under which the ratio between L1 HS Throughput average and Raw HS Throughput average is considered low enough to assign the cause of Low Net HS Throughput not only to lack of data sent by the network, but for example due to high retransmission levels. The average of the Throughput values is calculated on the 5 secs. before the occurrence of the Low Net Throughput event). NOTE: the threshold is expressed as the ratio (0..1). See also Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh and Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres
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for the exact definition of the Low Net HS Throughput event, and Uu_HSDPA_Throughput_L1 and Uu_HSDPA_PayloadRate_L1 for a definition of L1 and Raw HS throughput. The default value is 0.7. 20.6.4.5 SL_UMTS_DT_Spotlight_CriticalIssues_HSDPAPeakTput

This threshold is used to filter out HSDPA Raw Tput peak performance issues from the HSPA dashboard that are equal or less this value. The default value is 1500 (kbps).

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21 Appendix I: LTE thresholds, KPIs and diagnoses


21.1 LTE thresholds
21.1.1 Scan coverage
21.1.1.1 LTE_Scan_PoorRSRP_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate poor RSRP values from scanner data. Recommended value is -95 dBm and the minimum should not be lower than -105 dBm. 21.1.1.2 LTE_Scan_PoorRSRQ_Threshold

This threshold is used to indicate poor RSRQ values from scanner data. Recommended value is -13 dB and the value should range between -10 and -18 dB.

21.1.2 Spotlight
21.1.2.1 SL_LTE_DT_Spotlight_ImportantIssues_Threshold

This threshold is used to filter out Important Issues from the LTE dashboard that occur with a frequency greater than this value. Recommended value is 0.

21.2 Spotlight thresholds


21.2.1 Spotlight
21.2.1.1 SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold

This threshold is used (for all Cell Coverage analyses) if there is no Max_ServerDist information in the cellref and indicates the maximum serving distance (in meters) a cell should serve. Default is 5000m.

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22 Appendix J: UMTS thresholds, KPIs and diagnoses


22.1 UMTS thresholds
You can modify threshold values for event detection using the Tools, Display Thresholds command. It is important to set your thresholds before loading the data because it will affect the analysis, diagnosis and display of data in Spotlight. To modify the value, simply click on the associated number and type in the new value.

22.1.1 Spotlight
22.1.1.1 SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold

This threshold is used, if there is no Max_ServerDist information in the cellref and indicates the maximum serving distance (in meters) a cell should serve. Default is 5000m.

22.1.2 UMTS / Scan_coverage


22.1.2.1 Uu_Scan_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold

This is the absolute number of pilots (with Ec/Ios above Uu_Scan_PilotPollutionThreshold) required to trigger a pilot pollution event. Recommended value is 3 and the value should be between 2 and 4. 22.1.2.2 Uu_Scan_PilotPollution_RSCP_Threshold

The RSCP threshold used by the Poor Interference with Strong Signal Strength pilot pollution model (a Veritune feature). The default value is -100 dBm, and the value should be between -90 and -110 dBm. 22.1.2.3 Uu_Scan_PilotPollutionThreshold

In calculating Pilot Pollution, this threshold sets up the level of interference required for pegging the events (based on scanner info). When 4 or more pilots are above this threshold, it creates a pilot pollution event. Recommended value is -15dB and the value should be between -18 and -10 dB. 22.1.2.4 Uu_Scan_Poor_EcNoThreshold

This is used to indicate poor EcIo values from scanner data. Recommended value is -15 dB and should lie between -18 and -10 dB. 22.1.2.5 Uu_Scan_Poor_RSCP_Threshold

This is used to indicate poor RSCP values from scanner data. Recommended value is -95 dBm and should not be lower than -105 dBm.

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22.1.2.6

Uu_Scan_TooManyServers_Count_Threshold

The absolute number of pilots (with Ec/Ios within Uu_Scan_TooManyServersThreshold of the Ec/Io of the best server) required to trigger a too many servers event (based on scanner info). Recommended value is 3 and the value should be between 2 and 4. 22.1.2.7 Uu_Scan_TooManyServers_RSCP_Threshold

The CPICH RSCP threshold above which a Uu_Scan_TooManyServers event may be pegged. The default value is -104 dBm and the value should be between -90 and -110 dBm. 22.1.2.8 Uu_Scan_TooManyServersThreshold

In calculating "Too Many Servers", when 4 or more pilots (including the best server) are within the threshold value in dB of the best server, it creates a "too many server" event (based on scanner info). Recommended value is 5 dB and the minimum and the maximum should be around 1 and 10 dB.

22.1.3 UMTS / Spotlight


22.1.3.1 SL_Ant_Gain_Threshold

This threshold is the default Antenna gain, used in the calculation of pathloss. The default value is 18.4 dB. 22.1.3.2 SL_BLER_Threshold

This threshold is used for determining a UMTS lost DL channel condition. The default value is 10 dB. 22.1.3.3 SL_BTS_Sens_Threshold

This threshold is the default BTS receive Sensitivity, used in the calculation of UL pathloss. The default value is -120 dBm. 22.1.3.4 SL_Detectedset_EcIo_Threshold

This threshold is used for determining if a detected set member strong enough to be consider as a neighbor. The default value is -15 dB. 22.1.3.5 SL_EIRP_Threshold

This threshold is the default EIRP, used in the calculation of DL pathloss. The default value is 50. 22.1.3.6 SL_MaxTimeBetweenRRC_REQandCallStart

This threshold is used for determining UMTS CS calls with excessive setup time. Recommended value is 6000 ms. 22.1.3.7 SL_RapidPathloss_EcIo_Threshold

This threshold is used in Rapid Pathloss detection, a condition of which is that EcIo has dropped by at least this threshold value within the defined time window. The RSCP condition must also be met for Rapid Pathloss to be detected. The default value is 5 dB.
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22.1.3.8

SL_RapidPathloss_RSCP_Threshold

This threshold is used in Rapid Pathloss detection, a condition of which is that RSCP has dropped by at least this threshold value within the defined time window. The EcIo condition must also be met for Rapid Pathloss to be detected. The default value is 5. 22.1.3.9 SL_RapidPathloss_Time_window_Threshold

This threshold is used to define the window over which Rapid Pathloss is performed. The default value is 3000 ms. 22.1.3.10 SL_Site_Issues_Dist_Threshold This threshold is used in the outside beamwidth analysis, and only data within this distance from the site is considered for the analysis. The default value is 5000m. 22.1.3.11 SL_UMTS_DT_Troubleshooter_CriticalIssues_Threshold This threshold is used to filter out critical issues from the UMTS dashboard that are equal or less then this value. Recommended value is 0. 22.1.3.12 SL_UMTS_DT_Troubleshooter_ImportantIssues_Threshold This threshold is used to filter out Important issues from the UMTS dashboard that are equal or less then this value. Recommended value is 0.

22.1.4 UMTS / UE_Coverage


22.1.4.1 Uu_CoverageLimitedUE_TxPowerThreshold

This is used in the Coverage Limited event. If the UeTransmittedPower is greater than Uu_CoverageLimitedUE_TxPowerThreshold AND the CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet is less than Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold AND the CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet is less than Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold, then a Coverage Limited event will appear on the map. Recommended value is 10 dBm. The minimum should not be lower than 0 and the maximum should not be higher than 25 dBm. 22.1.4.2 Uu_EcNoInterferenceThreshold

This is used in conjunction with the RSCP Interference Threshold for the System Interference event. If the CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet is greater than Uu_RSCP_Interference_Threshold and the CPICH_EcNo_In_ActiveSet is less than Uu_EcNoInterferenceThreshold, then a System Interference event appears on the map. Recommended value is -15 dB. Values should lie between -10 and -18 dBm. 22.1.4.3 Uu_HighUE_TxPower

This is used in the Poor Uplink Coverage event. If the UeTransmittedPower is greater than Uu_HighUE_TxPower AND the CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet is greater than Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold AND the CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet is greater than Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold, then Poor Uplink Coverage will appear on the map. Recommended value is 15 dBm. Values should lie between 0 and 25 dBm.

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22.1.4.4

Uu_LowUE_TxPower

This is used in the Poor Downlink Coverage event. If the UeTransmittedPower is less than Uu_LowUE_TxPower AND the CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet is less than Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold AND the CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet is less than Uu_PoorEcNoThreshold, then the Poor Downlink Coverage event will appear on the map. Recommended value is -15 dBm. Values should lie between -30 and 0 dBm. 22.1.4.5 Uu_PilotPollutionThreshold

In calculating Pilot Pollution, this threshold sets up the level of interference required for pegging the events. When 4 or more pilots are above this threshold, it creates a Pilot Pollution event. Recommended value is -15 dB and should lie between -18 and -10 dB. 22.1.4.6 Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold

This is used in the Coverage Limited event. If the CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet is less than Uu_PoorEcNOThreshold AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet is less than Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold AND Ue_TransmittedPower is greater than Uu_CoverageLimitedUE_TxPowerThreshold, then a Coverage Limited event will appear on the map. It is also used in the Poor Uplink and Downlink Coverage event. Recommended value is -15 dB and should lie between -18 and -10 dB. 22.1.4.7 Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold

This is used in three different events. In the cases where CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet is lower than Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold, it will trigger either a Coverage Limited event or a Poor Downlink Coverage event. In the case where it is greater than Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold, it will trigger a Poor Uplink Coverage event. Other conditions must be satisfied for these events to occur please note the other thresholds involved. Recommended value is -95 dBm and should not be lower than -105 dBm. 22.1.4.8 Uu_RSCP_InterferenceThreshold

This is used for the System Interference event. If the CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet is greater than this threshold and the CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet is less than Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold, then a System Interference event appears on the map. Recommended value is -80 dBm and should lie between -90 and -60 dBm. 22.1.4.9 Uu_TooManyServersThreshold

In calculating "Too Many Servers", when 4 or more pilots (including the best server) are within the threshold value in dB of the best server, it creates a "too many server" event (based on scanner info). Recommended value is 5 dB and the minimum and the maximum should be around 1 and 10 dB.

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22.2 UMTS events in the Event Explorer


Circuit Switched KPIs # Dropped Calls # Setup Failures # Excessive Call Setup Packet Switched KPIs # PS Attempts # Dropped PS # Failed Connection Handover Issues % Handoff Overhead Based on measurements made when the UE is in RRC connected mode, this statistic gives the ratio (as a percentage) of the time the UE spent in handover (i.e. 2 or more cells in the active set) to the time the UE spent with only 1 active cell. Note that this statistic needs a valid cellrefs file in order to work correctly. # ActiveSet Attempts This is the number of active set update procedures, determined from the RRC signaling. # ActiveSet Failures This is the ratio of the number of active set update failures to the total number of active set update procedures. The number of active set update procedures is determined from the RRC signaling, and the number of active set update failures corresponds to the number of active set update procedures for which the UE sends an RRC Active Set Update Failure message. # Server Inconsistencies This is the number of times the event Uu_UE_Scan_Issue is set. This event is set when the best cell measured by the scanner is not measured by the UE as an active or monitored cell over a period of time of "Uu_Scan_UE_Timer" milliseconds. Furthermore, this event is only set if the following conditions are met: The UE is in RRC connected mode, and The scanner's best cell is stronger than the best cell in the active set, or weaker by less than "Uu_Scan_UE_dB_Threshold" decibels.

The thresholds "Uu_Scan_UE_Timer" and "Uu_Scan_UE_dB_Threshold" are configurable using Tools > Display Thresholds > UMTS > Event Control.
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Hard Handover Issues # 3G 2G Attempts # 3G 2G Failures # IF Attempts # IF Failures

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22.3 Dropped Calls diagnosis for UMTS


The following diagram outlines Spotlight's procedure for determining a diagnosis of CS and PS Dropped Call events. Note that the window size used to evaluate the condition is the period from 5 seconds before the drop, up to the drop itself.

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Diagnosis System Released Missing Neighbor Handover Problem

Condition and notes When the cause code is Not Normal (0-31, 42) in either the NAS message or the RRC message. SC in Active Set after event < > SCs in Active Set and Neighbor list before event. Multiple Active Set update messages are received and a particular SC is not added to the Active Set.

For the Raked RF Condition, the system picks the diagnosis with the highest value, providing it is higher than the specified threshold: Pilot Pollution Pilot Pollution: Too Many Servers Interference Problem 4+ pilots in Active or Monitored Set with Ec/No > Uu_PilotPollutionThreshold (-15 dB). 4+ pilots in the Active or Monitored Set with Ec/No within Uu_TooManyServersThreshold dB of the best server (Uu_ActiveSet_EcNo_0). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet < Uu_EcNoInterferenceThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet > Uu_RSCP_InterferenceThreshold (-80 dBm). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet < Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet < Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold (-95 dBm) AND UeTransmittedPower > Uu_CoverageLimitedUE_TxPowerThreshold (10 dBm). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet < Uu_PoorEcNoThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet < Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold (-95 dBm) AND UeTransmittedPower < Uu_LowUE_TxPower (-15 dBm). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet > Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet > Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold (-95 dBm) AND UeTransmittedPower > Uu_HighUE_TxPower (15 dBm). Over 5-seconds, on average, Uu_Trch_DownlinkBLERAGG > SL_BLER_Threshold. More investigation is needed. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.

Coverage Limitation Problem

Poor DL Coverage Problem

Poor UL Coverage Problem

Lost DL Channel

Investigate Further (unknown diagnosis)

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22.4 Call Setup Failure diagnosis for UMTS


The following diagram shows the procedure used by Spotlight to determine the diagnosis of CS and PS Call Setup Failure events:

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Diagnosis System Rejected / RRC Failure CM Service Abort / Reject System Released Missing Neighbor Handover Problem

Condition and notes When an RRC message contains an RRC Reject. A CM Service Abort / Reject message was received. When the cause code is Not Normal (0-31, 42) in either the NAS message or the RRC message. SC in Active Set after event < > SCs in Active Set and Neighbor list before event. Multiple Active Set update messages are received and a particular SC is not added to the Active Set.

For the Raked RF Condition, the system picks the diagnosis with the highest value, providing it is higher than the specified threshold: Pilot Pollution Pilot Pollution: Too Many Servers Interference Problem 4+ pilots in Active or Monitored Set with Ec/No > Uu_PilotPollutionThreshold (-15 dB). 4+ pilots in the Active or Monitored Set with Ec/No within Uu_TooManyServersThreshold dB of the best server (Uu_ActiveSet_EcNo_0). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet < Uu_EcNoInterferenceThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet > Uu_RSCP_InterferenceThreshold (-80 dBm). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet < Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet < Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold (-95 dBm) AND UeTransmittedPower > Uu_CoverageLimitedUE_TxPowerThreshold (10 dBm). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet < Uu_PoorEcNoThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet < Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold (-95 dBm) AND UeTransmittedPower < Uu_LowUE_TxPower (-15 dBm). CPICH_EcNo_in_ActiveSet > Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold (-15 dB) AND CPICH_RSCP_in_ActiveSet > Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold (-95 dBm) AND UeTransmittedPower > Uu_HighUE_TxPower (15 dBm). Over 5-seconds, on average, Uu_Trch_DownlinkBLERAGG > SL_BLER_Threshold. Use other tools and views to refine your understanding of the problem.
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Limited Coverage Problem

Poor DL Coverage Problem

Poor UL Coverage Problem

Lost DL Channel Investigate Further (unknown diagnosis)

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22.5 Excessive Call diagnosis for UMTS


The following diagram outlines the procedure used by Spotlight to determine the diagnosis of Excessive Call events. Note that the window size used to evaluate the condition is the period from 5 seconds before the drop, up to the drop itself.

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23 Appendix K: Information for Administrators


23.1 Hiding Analyzer Event Diagrams from Spotlight users
Central tools teams may want to hide the details of particular KPI calculations from their Spotlight users. A checkbox enables this in the Diagram Info dialog in Analyzer, when defining event diagrams (license permitting). The checkbox is called Hide diagram from read-only users.

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24 Index
9
95 95 95 95 95 percentile percentile percentile percentile percentile CQI Tput, 216 DL TCP Tput, 216 EcIo Tput, 216 MAC-HS Tput, 216 RSCP Tput, 216 CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold, 185 CDMA_EVDO_PilotPollutionThreshold, 185 CDMA_EVDO_TooManyActivePNsThreshold, 172 CDMA_ImportantIssue_ExcessInterference, 170 CDMA_ImportantIssue_ExternalInterference, 170 CDMA_ImportantIssue_FwdLinkProblem, 170 CDMA_ImportantIssue_LowRX, 171 CDMA_ImportantIssue_PoorCoverage, 171 CDMA_ImportantIssue_PoorQuality, 171 CDMA_ImportantIssue_RevLinkProblem, 171 CDMA_MobileRxPowerThreshold, 47, 171 CDMA_MobileTxPowerMaxFilterThreshold, 171 CDMA_MobileTxPowerMinFilterThreshold, 171 CDMA_MobileTxPowerThreshold, 47, 171 CDMA_OverAllSuccessRate, 173 CDMA_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold, 171, 173 CDMA_PilotPollutionThreshold, 171, 173 CDMA_TooManyActivePNsThreshold, 172 cell coverage, determining, 8 cellrefs file, 9, 28 Channel mode unacceptable, 206 Choose Attributes, 133 Choose Devices, 128 Circuit Switched KPIs, 229 CM Service Abort / Reject, 202, 234 Co/Adjacent Channel allocations between neighbors, 184 ConnectionAttemptDuration_Threshold, 186 ConnectionAttemptFailRate_Threshold, 188 ConnectionAttemptSuccessRate_Threshold, 188 ConnectionReleaseDuration_Threshold, 186 ConnectionReleaseSuccessRate_Threshold, 188 Consolidated_SINR_For_Nth_Best_Pilot[0], 37 coverage design boundary, 42 coverage footprint, 42, 63 Coverage Issue, 175 Coverage Limitation Problem, 232 Critical Issues section, 36 CSV file, 50

A
Abnormal Connection Release, 191 AccessAttemptDuration_Threshold, 186 AccessAttemptFailRate_Threshold, 188 AccessAttemptSuccessRate_Threshold, 188 Add Device, 130 Analyzer Classic, 121 Another Call Started, 202, 204 Attribute Picker, 134 Average EcIo, 216 Average HSDPA Call Setup time, 216 Average RSCP, 216 Average_PER_Threshold, 185 Average_Rx_RlpRetransmissionRate_Threshold, 188 Average_RxRlpThputInst_Threshold, 188 Average_RxTCHThroughput_Threshold, 188 Average_SINR_PN0_Threshold, 185 Average_Tx_RlpRetransmissionRate_Threshold, 188 Average_TxRlpThputInst_Threshold, 188

B
Batch Sector Plot, 123 best serving cell, 42, 63 binned data, 37 Binned Data Queries, 134 binning settings, 135

C
Call Setup Failure diagnosis for GSM, 201 Call Setup Failure diagnosis for UMTS, 233 CDMA Cell Coverage, 8 CDMA Cell Coverage analysis, 42 CDMA cell site parameters, 139 CDMA events in the Event Explorer, 173 CDMA Neighbor List, 8 CDMA Neighbor List analysis, 48 CDMA Pilot Pollution analysis, 54 CDMA Spotlight Report, 144 CDMA thresholds, 170 CDMA/EVDO Pilot Pollution, 8 CDMA_AvgForwardFER, 170, 173 CDMA_CallDropRate, 172 CDMA_CallSetupSuccessRate, 173 CDMA_CallSetupTime, 173 CDMA_EcIoCombinedThreshold, 47, 170 CDMA_EcIoInterferenceThreshold, 172 CDMA_EVDO_DRCRate_0, 186 CDMA_EVDO_EcIoInterferenceThreshold, 187 CDMA_EVDO_MobileRxPowerThreshold, 185

D
data files, 31 Data Service Analysis, 112 Data Settings link, 29 Detailed Event Diagnostics, 120 device filters, 131 Distance tab, 69 Distant Serving Cell, 184 Dragged_Dominance_Hysteresis, 196 Dragged_HO_Window, 196 DRC Rate, 62 Drill Down, 116 Drilldown page, 119 drilldown window, 117 Dropped Call diagnosis for CDMA, 174 Dropped Calls diagnosis for GSM, 205 Dropped Calls diagnosis for UMTS, 231 Dropped Connection diagnosis for EVDO, 190

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238 G_RMAC_Sign_Var_Min, 179 G_RMAC_TAI_Max, 180 G_RxLevSub_Min, 197 G_RxQualSub_Max, 197 G_ScanSortSigLevel_Min, 197 G_T3240_RAUTimer, 180 G_T3310_AttachTimer, 180 G_T3321_DetachTimer, 180 G_T3380_PDPActTimer, 180 G_Timeout_ChannelRequest, 197 G_TimingAdvance_Max, 197 Global Filters, 34 Global Filters, choosing, 137 GPRS_Duration_Period, 181 GPRS_LLC_DL_Min, 181 GPRS_LLC_UL_Min, 181 GPRS_RLC_DL_Min, 181 GPRS_RLC_UL_Min, 181 grade of service, 42 Grade of Service, CDMA, 47 GSM 2G Missing Neighbors, 8 GSM 2G Missing Neighbors analysis, 73 GSM Cell Coverage, 8 GSM Cell Coverage analysis, 63 GSM events in the Event Explorer, 200 GSM Spotlight Report, 155 GSM thresholds, 196 GSM visualization, 66 GSM/GPRS cell site parameters, 140

E
EcIo_1stBest, 37 EDGE cell site parameters, 140 EGPRS diagnoses, 183 EGPRS events in the Event Explorer, 181 EGPRS thresholds, 179 EGPRS_Duration_Period, 180 EGPRS_LLC_DL_Min, 180 EGPRS_LLC_UL_Min, 180 EGPRS_RLC_DL_Min, 180 EGPRS_RLC_UL_Min, 181 empty maps, 138 EVDO Cell Coverage, 8 EVDO Cell Coverage analysis, 42 EVDO events in the Event Explorer, 189 EVDO Neighbor List, 8 EVDO Neighbor List analysis, 48 EVDO Pilot Pollution analysis, 54 EVDO Rev A Spotlight Report, 151 EVDO Spotlight Report, 147 EVDO System Performance analysis, 8, 58 EVDO thresholds, 185 event detection, 29 Event Explorer, 109 EVT_CDMAImportantIssue, 172 EVT_CDMANeighborListIssueDetect, 172 EVT_CDMAServerKey, 172 EVT_EVDOLowThroughput, 186 EVT_EVDOServerKey, 186 EVT_VerituneEVDOPilotPollution, 186 Excessive Call diagnosis for UMTS, 235 Excessive Interference, 175 Excessive Power Reduction, 184 Export data, 50 export suggested changes to the OMC, 8 exporting a series of images, 123 External Interference, 175

H
Handover Impossible, 206 Handover Issues, 229 Handover Problem, 206, 232, 234 Hard Handover Issues, 230 High retransmissions due to packet incorrectly received in Downlink, 218 High retransmissions due to poor Uplink quality conditions, 218 HS mobility, 163 HSDPA 3G Neighbor List analysis, 83 HSDPA 3G-2G Neighbor List analysis, 89 HSDPA Call Drop rate, 216 HSDPA Cell Coverage analysis, 95 HSDPA Cell Pilot Pollution analysis, 102 HSDPA Low Throughput example, 210 HSDPA Peak Tput, 216 HSDPA Setup Failure rate, 216 HSDPA Spotlight Report, 160 HSDPA thresholds, 220 HSDPA Throughput KPIs, 218 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_CQI_Thres hold, 216, 222 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_EcIo_Thres hold, 216, 222 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_MACHS_Th roughput_Threshold, 216, 221 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_RSCP_Thre shold, 216, 222 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_95_Percentile_TCP_Throu ghput_Threshold, 216, 221 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_EcIo_Threshold, 216, 221 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Drop_Rate, 216, 221 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Failure_Rate, 216, 221 www.actix.com

F
F factor, 106 failure events, investigating, 8 Fast binning, 135 Forward Link Problem, 175 Frequency not implemented, 206

G
G_Analysis_Time_After, 198 G_Analysis_Time_Before, 199 G_CallDropRate, 199 G_CallSetupSuccessRate, 199 G_Cell_Reselect_Duration, 179 G_Cell_Reselect_Time, 179 G_Distance_Max, 196 G_Handover_Min, 197 G_HandoverSuccessRate, 199 G_Interference_Radius, 63, 197 G_LocationUpdateSuccessRate, 199 G_MsTxPowStepOrdered_Min, 197 G_OverAllSuccessRate, 199 G_Prolong_Interf_timer, 197 G_RMAC_C_Value_Min, 179 G_RMAC_CV_BEP_Max, 179 G_RMAC_DL_TS_Min, 179 G_RMAC_MEAN_BEP_Max, 179 G_RMAC_Power_Reduction_Max, 179

Actix Spotlight Desktop User Guide August 2010 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_HSDPA_Setup_Time, 216, 221 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_Overall_PS_Failure_Rate, 216, 221 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_PS_Drop_Rate, 216, 221 HSDPA_NW_Acceptance_RSCP_Threshold, 216, 221 HSPA 3G Neighbor List, 8 HSPA Call Drop Analysis example, 207 HSPA Cell Coverage, 8 HSPA Event Explorer analysis, 207 HSPA events in the Event Explorer, 214 HSPA+ cell site parameters, 142

239

N
Neighbor List Issue, 175 neighbor list preferences, 30 neighbor lists, optimize, 8 Network Overload, 193, 195 network performance overview, 7 New Project, 26 New Template, 27, 126 No repository detected, 138

O
Other, 175, 191, 193, 195, 202, 204, 206 Overall PS Call Drop rate, 216 Overall PS Setup Failure rate, 216

I
images, exporting a series of, 123 Immediate Reject, 202, 204 Important Issues section, 36 inbound vs. outbound pilot pollution, identifying, 8 Interference, 184, 202, 204, 206 interference factor, 106 Interference Problem, 232, 234 Investigate Further, 232, 234 issues panel, 36 IUB_THROUGHPUT_PERIOD_THRES, 220

P
Packet Switched KPIs, 229 PER, 61 Pilot Pollution, 175, 191, 193, 195, 232, 234 Ping_Pong_HO_Window, 196 PN Search, 49 Poor Coverage, 175, 202, 204, 206 Poor DL Coverage Problem, 232, 234 Poor Quality, 175, 191, 193, 195 Poor Radio Conditions, 184 Poor UL Coverage Problem, 232, 234 PPPConnectionSuccessRate_Threshold, 188 PPPSetupTime_Threshold, 186 Preferences dialog box, 28 project template, 127 Projection, 137 Protocol Stack Browser, 120

K
key performance indicator, 9 KPI, 9 KPIs and Reports, selecting, 132

L
Lack of data to transmit, 217 Limited Coverage Problem, 234 Load Entire File, 117 Location Update Failure diagnosis for GSM, 203 Log Files link, 121 Lost DL Channel, 232, 234 Low bandwidth allocation, 184 Low CQI values, 217 Low Raw HS Throughput, 217 Low Raw HS Throughput not detected, 217 Low RLP Rx Throughput, 193 Low RLP Tx Throughput, 193 Low Rx Signal, 175 Low scheduling rate, 217 Low Signal, 191, 193, 195 Low Throughput diagnosis for EVDO, 192 Low Tput KPI event, 216 LTE Cell Coverage analysis, 79 LTE cell site parameters, 141 LU Reject, 204

R
Radio Network Explorer, 40 Raked RF Condition, 232, 234 Rapidly Changing Radio Conditions, 184 relative grade of service, 42 Reports, 38 Repository Summary table, 121 Return to Spotlight link, 122 Reverse Link Problem, 175 RL_Throughput_Threshold, 189 RL_Throughput_TimeLimit_Threshold, 189 RLP Rx Throughput, 62 RLP Tx Throughput, 62 RR Failed, 202, 204 RRC Failure, 234

S
SchedulerAnalysis, 186 Scheduling Issues diagnosis for EVDO, 194 ServRxLevSub, 37 setting thresholds for data import, 25 settings, saving the project, 30 Show Excel Report, 39 SINR, 61 sites failing recommended design targets, identifying, 8 SL_Ant_Gain_Threshold, 226 SL_BLER_Threshold, 226 SL_BTS_Sens_Threshold, 226 SL_Detectedset_EcIo_Threshold, 226

M
Max_TxPower_Threshold, 185 Maximum Intersite Distance, 51, 52, 73, 74, 83, 84, 89, 91 message level, identifying problems at the, 8 Microsoft Excel, 39 Min_TxPower_Threshold, 185 Missing Neighbor, 206, 232, 234 Mobile Rx Power, 61 Mobile Tx Power, 61 Mobility scenarios, 216

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Actix Spotlight Desktop User Guide August 2010 SL_EIRP_Threshold, 226 SL_GSM_Ant_Gain_Threshold, 198 SL_GSM_BTS_Sens_Threshold, 198 SL_GSM_EIRP_Threshold, 198 SL_GSM_High_TX_Power_Threshold, 198 SL_GSM_RapidPathloss_RxLev_Threshold, 198 SL_GSM_RapidPathloss_RxQual_Threshold, 198 SL_GSM_RapidPathloss_Time_window_Threshold, 198 SL_GSM_Site_Issues_Dist_Threshold, 198 SL_MaxTimeBetweenRRC_REQandCallStart, 226 SL_Overspill_Dist_Threshold, 42, 63, 69, 79, 95, 170, 196, 220, 224, 225 SL_RapidPathloss_EcIo_Threshold, 226 SL_RapidPathloss_RSCP_Threshold, 227 SL_RapidPathloss_Time_window_Threshold, 227 SL_Site_Issues_Dist_Threshold, 227 SL_UMTS_DT_Spotlight_CriticalIssues_HSDPAPeak Tput, 216, 223 SL_UMTS_DT_Troubleshooter_CriticalIssues_Thres hold, 227 SL_UMTS_DT_Troubleshooter_ImportantIssues_Th reshold, 227 Spotlight projects about, 9 creating, 27 Spotlight Report, 7 SU_Rx_Throughput_Threshold, 189 Summary Dashboard, 33 Summary map, 37 System Rejected, 234 System Released, 202, 204, 206, 232, 234

240 UMTS Cell Coverage analysis, 95 UMTS Cell Pilot Pollution analysis, 102 UMTS cell site parameters, 142 UMTS events in the Event Explorer, 229 UMTS Spotlight Report, 165 UMTS thresholds, 225 UMTS/HSPA Cell Pilot Pollution, 8 UniqueNeighborList, 172 Unload Files button, 122 Uu_ActiveSet_EcNo[0], 37 Uu_CoverageLimitedUE_TxPowerThreshold, 227 Uu_EcNoInterferenceThreshold, 227 Uu_HighUE_TxPower, 227 Uu_HSCellNotBestPilot, 216 Uu_HSDPAAvLowSched_Thresh, 216 Uu_HSDPAAvRegularSched_Thresh, 216, 222 Uu_HSDPAL1_To_Raw_Throu_Thresh, 216, 222 Uu_HSDPALowCQI_Thresh, 216, 222 Uu_HSDPALowNetThrou_Thresh, 215, 216, 220 Uu_HSDPALowRawThrou_Thresh, 215, 216, 220 Uu_HSDPALowThrouMaxTimeWin_Thres, 215, 216, 220 Uu_HSDPANet_To_L1_Throu_Thresh, 216, 222 Uu_LowNetHSDPAThroughput, 216 Uu_LowRawHSDPAThroughput, 216 Uu_LowUE_TxPower, 228 Uu_PilotPollutionThreshold, 228 Uu_Poor_EcNoThreshold, 228 Uu_Poor_RSCP_Threshold, 228 Uu_RSCP_InterferenceThreshold, 228 Uu_Scan_PilotPollution, 29 Uu_Scan_PilotPollution_Count_Threshold, 225 Uu_Scan_PilotPollution_RSCP_Threshold, 225 Uu_Scan_PilotPollutionThreshold, 225 Uu_Scan_Poor_EcNoThreshold, 225 Uu_Scan_Poor_RSCP_Threshold, 225 Uu_Scan_TooManyServers_Count_Threshold, 226 Uu_Scan_TooManyServers_RSCP_Threshold, 226 Uu_Scan_TooManyServersThreshold, 226 Uu_ThresGapBeforeThrComparison, 220 Uu_TooManyServersThreshold, 228 Uu_WinTimeHSnotBest, 216, 221 UuPilotPollution, 29

T
T2P_Avg_Threshold, 189 thresholds, 29 thresholds, setting for data import, 25 Too Many Servers, 232, 234 top panel, 35

U
UMTS UMTS UMTS UMTS UMTS 3G Neighbor List, 8 3G Neighbor List analysis, 83 3G-2G Neighbor List, 8 3G-2G Neighbor List analysis, 89 Cell Coverage, 8

V
Visualization tab, 69

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